System for growing plants and method of operation thereof

ABSTRACT

A system for growing plants, the system may include a substrate having one or more weakened areas or openings: one or more grow portions coupled to the substrate and situated at the one or more weakened areas or openings and having at least one seed or plant; and/or a fluid distribution portion coupled to the substrate and configured to provide fluid to the one or more grow portions. The system may further include a method of operation including one or more acts of: obtaining a weather forecast for a future time period; determining whether rain is expected during the future time period; and preventing, terminating, or restricting an irrigation cycle when it is determined that rain is expected during the fare time period. The restricting may restrict a flow of liquid during the irrigation cycle or shorten the irrigation interval.

REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION

This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/357,187, filed Mar. 18, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,625,288 which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/495,813, filed Apr.24, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,234,876 which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/167,926, filed Jan. 29, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,629,313, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/758,074, filed Jan. 29, 2013, and entitled“SYSTEM FOR GROWING PLANTS AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF,” thecontents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system for growing plantsand, more particularly, to an environmentally friendly system forplanting, growing, and watering plants and a method of operationthereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional farming systems and methods are inefficient and wastevaluable resources such as water. For example, conventional farmingirrigation methods (e.g., overhead, pressurized, unpressurized, and/orgravity flow methods) apply water to planted areas as well as unplantedareas (e.g., generally areas between rows for the sake of clarity). Aswatering the unplanted areas is not necessary, these methods waste waterand are inefficient. Moreover, when these systems apply additive such asfertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, etc. these additives are alsoapplied to the unplanted areas and contributes to ground pollution.Further, with regard to water-scarce locations (e.g., arid locations,desserts, etc.), growing certain crops such as water intensive cropsusing conventional irrigation methods may require more water than isavailable these locations. Accordingly, it can be difficult if notentirely impossible to grow water intensive crops in water-scarcelocations using conventional farming methods.

Soil moisture levels are often difficult to accurately and/orefficiently control at one or more locations using conventional farmingmethods. Similarly, soil matric potentials are often difficult toaccurately and/or efficiently control at one or more locations usingconventional farming methods.

Moreover, with regard planting seeds, conventional farming methods relyupon seed drills to deposit seeds into the ground. Unfortunately, seeddrills cannot fully condition the soil in which seeds are planted so asto provide an environment conducive to growth of the seeds such as anenvironment with nutrients and/or moisture retainers. Moreover,conventional seed drills cannot accurately track location of seeds whenplanting crops using mixed seed types such as is typical in researchand/or rest plots.

Further, laying out and/or planting landscapes such as commerciallandscapes is labor intensive, difficult to accurately lay out, and canoften take days to cover a relatively small area. Accordingly,commercial landscapes are often expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention to solve the above-notedand other problems of conventional growing methods and provide a system,apparatus, computer program, an/or method (hereinafter each of whichwill be referred to as a system for the sake of clarity unless thecontext indicates otherwise) to efficiently grow seeds and/or plantsand/or combinations thereof. Embodiments of the present invention toprovide a system for planting (or sowing) seeds, securing seeds,watering seeds, priming seeds, sprouting seeds, growing plants,distributing seeds, distributing plants, etc. Further, embodiments ofthe present system may control, reduce, or entirely prevent the growthof undesirable (e.g. in a certain area) plants (e.g., weeds), bacteria,fungi, etc. Embodiments of the present system may further control soilmoisture levels and/or soil matric potentials in accordance with desiredsettings which may be set by the user and/or system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 2A is cross sectional view illustration of a portion of the systemtaken along lines 2A-2A of FIG. 1 in accordance with embodiments of thepresent system;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of a systemin accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of a systemin accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 2D is a partially cutaway perspective view illustration of aportion of a system in accordance with embodiments of the presentsystem;

FIG. 2E is an exploded cross-sectional view illustration of a portion ofa system taken along lines 2E-2E of FIG. 2D in accordance withembodiments of the present system;

FIG. 2F is an exploded cross-sectional view illustration of a portion ofa system taken along lines 2F-2F of FIG. 2D in accordance withembodiments of the present system;

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view illustration of a portion of asystem in accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 4 is cutaway exploded side view illustration of a portion of thesystem taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 in accordance with embodiments ofthe present system;

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view illustration of a portion of asystem in accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway top view illustration of a portion of asystem in accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of the systemtaken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6 in accordance with embodiments of thepresent system;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 8C is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 9 is cross sectional view illustration of a portion of the systemtaken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8 in accordance with embodiments of thepresent system;

FIG. 9B is cross sectional view illustration of a portion of the systemtaken along lines 9B-9B of FIG. 8B in accordance with embodiments of thepresent system;

FIG. 9C is cross sectional view illustration of a portion of the systemtaken along lines 9C-9C of FIG. 8C in accordance with embodiments of thepresent system;

FIG. 10 is a side view illustration of a portion of the system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 10B is a side view illustration of a portion of the system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 10C illustrates the system with a barrier and substrate in a rolledconfiguration in accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 13 is a partial cutaway top view illustration of a portion of asystem in accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 14 is a partial cutaway perspective view illustration of a portionof a system having a uniform growing area in accordance with embodimentsof the present system;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view illustration of a portion of thesystem taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14 in accordance with embodimentsof the present system;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view illustration of a system in accordancewith embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustration of a system in accordancewith embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view illustration of a portion of a systemin accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 18B is a partially cutaway top perspective view illustration of aportion of a system in accordance with embodiments of the presentsystem;

FIG. 18C is a partially cutaway top perspective view illustration of aportion of a system in accordance with embodiments of the presentsystem;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process in accordance withan embodiment of the present system;

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process in accordance withan embodiment of the present system;

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process in accordance withan embodiment of the present system;

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process in accordance withan embodiment of the present system;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a process of layingsubstrate in accordance with an embodiment of the present system;

FIG. 28 shows a portion of a system (e.g., peer, server, etc.) inaccordance with an embodiment of the present system;

FIG. 29 is a graph illustrating soil matric information as a function oftime in accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 31 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process in accordance withan embodiment of the present system;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of thesystem taken along lines 33-33 of FIG. 32 in accordance with embodimentsof the present system;

FIG. 33B is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of a systemin accordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of thesystem taken along lines 34-34 of FIG. 32 in accordance with embodimentsof the present system;

FIG. 34B is a cross-sectional view illustration of the system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system;

FIG. 35 is a partially cutaway side view illustration of a portion of asystem in accordance with embodiments of the present system; and

FIG. 36 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system inaccordance with embodiments of the present system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity, certainfeatures of the invention will not be discussed when they would beapparent to those with skill in the art. In some figures, for the sakeof clarity, cross hatching may not be included in cutaway (e.g.,cross-sectional) views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 100in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 100 mayinclude one or more of a substrate 102, flow manifold 106, and one ormore grow portions 104. For the sake of simplicity, only a portion ofthe substrate 102 of the system 100 is shown and is understood that thesubstrate 102, and/or grow areas 104 may be shaped and/or sized, asdesired. Father, the grow portions 104 may be spaced from each other bya desired distance and/or may be formed integrally with other substrates104 if desired. Further, embodiments of the system 100, in whole orportions thereof, may be scaled (e.g., in size, shape, number of growportions 102, number of flow manifolds 106, etc.) to a desired shapeand/or size, as desired. For example, rows of flow manifolds 106 may berepeated and may provide liquid to corresponding rows of grow portionssuch as grow portions 104.

The substrate 102 may be shaped and/or sized to cover a desired area andmay be made from any suitable material or materials such as, forexample, a landscape fabric, a weed control fabric, a woven material, anon-woven material a non-woven fibrous weed-blocking material, etc.However, it is also envisioned that the substrate 102 may include othermaterials and/or combinations thereof such as fibrous material (e.g.,woven, non-woven, etc.), plastic, polymers, paper, netting, rubber,foils (e.g., aluminum), corrugated materials (e.g., plastic, paper,cardboard, etc.), fabrics (e.g., burlap, netting, etc.), organicmaterials, etc. It is further envisioned that the substrate 102(depending upon the material or materials from which it is made from)may be permeable and/or impermeable by certain substances such ascertain elements, certain chemical compounds, chemicals, radiation(e.g., solar (e.g., ultra violet (UV)), etc. Accordingly, for example,if desired, one or more portions of the substrate or portions thereofmay be impermeable to, for example, air, water, water vapor, oxygen,nitrogen, etc. However, in yet other embodiments, the substrate 102 orportions thereof may be permeable by, for example, air, etc. In yetother embodiments, the substrate and/or portions thereof, may include aradiation barrier to filter UV. It is further envisioned that thesubstrate 102 may include one or more openings or surfaces which may beshaped and/or sized to provide a desired amount or air/liquid (e.g.,water, etc.) to flow from one area of the substrate 102 to another. Forexample, the one or more openings may extend partially or fully from onemajor surface of the substrate 102 to another major surface of thesubstrate 102 (e.g., from a first major side to the other major side ofthe substrate 102) such that the gasses (e.g., air, etc.) and/or liquids(e.g., water, nutrients, etc.) may travel into and/or out of the groundor portions of the substrate 102 during use in one or more areas, asdesired. Further, in yet other embodiments it is envisioned that thesubstrate 102 may include one or more active (e.g., under the control ofa controller) or passive cooling portions which may be operative tocause liquid to condense. This condensed liquid may then be channeled toa desired area, if desired, for storage and/or immediate fluid deliverto plants.

Moreover, in certain embodiments it is further envisioned that thesubstrate 102 may include additives such as nutrients, fertilizers,pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, bactericide, and/or fungicides(hereinafter generally additive or additives unless the contextindicates otherwise). The additives may be formed integrally with thesubstrate 102 or may be added thereto. For example, in some embodiments,the additives may be sprayed upon, or otherwise applied to, thesubstrate 102 in one or more areas such as at the grow areas 104 betweengrow portions, at the edges of the substrate 102, etc. The additives maydecompose (e.g., may be compostable) over time, when exposed to sun,when exposed to liquids (e.g., water), etc., as desired for a particularapplication. The additives may then flow into a surrounding environment(e.g., into the soil), into parts of the substrate 102, and/or into growportions 104, if desired. For example, in accordance with someembodiments the additives such as pesticides may be located at upper andlower major surfaces of the substrate 102 about one or morecorresponding grow areas 102 in, for example, a ring pattern.

In some embodiments the substrate 102 may include nano-technology-based(type) materials which may be configured to have certain desiredcharacteristics such as facilitating condensation and collection ofwater (e.g., from the environment). Further, it is envisioned that thesubstrate 102 may be formed from one or more biodegradable materialswhich may decay or otherwise decompose during use if desired. Further,it is envisioned that the biodegradable material may be configured torelease additives (e.g., nutrients) when decomposing so as to, forexample, fertilize the soil beneath it, release nutrients, pesticides,fungicides, bactericides, herbicides, etc. contained in the additives.However, it is also envisioned that the substrate 102, or portionsthereof, may be formed from one or more non-biodegradable materials. Insome embodiments, the additives may be sufficient for a single growingcycle.

The substrate 102 may include one or more grow portions 104. One or moreof the grow portions 104 may be different from, or the same as, othergrow portions 104. However, for the sake of clarity, it will be assumedthat each grow portion 104 is similar to other grow portions 104.Accordingly, only a single grow portion 104 may be discussed for thesake of clarity. Further, each grow portion 104 may have any suitableshape and/or size such as oval, round, square, rectangular, polyhedral,etc., as may be desired. However, for the sake of clarity, it will beassumed that each grow portion 104 has a substantially round (plan)profile when viewed from above.

The grow portion 104 may be formed integrally with or separately fromthe substrate 102. For example, in some embodiments, the substrate 102may form at least part of the grow portion 104. The grow portion 104 mayinclude a cavity (or more than one cavity) suitable for containing afiller. The filler may include, for example, one or more of seed(s),plant(s) (or portions) and a grow portion fill (GPF). The GPF mayinclude one or more of soil (e.g., seed starter soil, sand, rock, clay,etc.), organic matter (OM) (e.g., organisms, sphagnum, compostablematter, organic material etc.), perlite, lattices, scaffolds, cardboard,water retaining material, a seed starter or starting mix, non-organicmatter (e.g., stones, etc.) a water wicking material, additives, and/orcombinations thereof. However, it is also envisioned that the filler mayinclude other materials as may be desired by a user and/or may beconfigured for enhancing growth of the seeds or plants included with thefiller. The seeds and/or plants may include the same or differentvarieties, etc., as may be desired by the system and/or user. For thesake of clarity, in the present embodiment, it will be assumed that thefiller may include seeds and a GPF such as a seed staring mix configuredto promote the germination of the corresponding seeds. The seeds may bepelletized, primed, etc., if desired. With regard to the scaffolds andlattices, these may be configured to promote the growth and/or spread ofroots from the seeds and/or plants, may wick fluids and/or provideaeration and/or a support path for the seeds and/or roots of plants. Thematerials (or parts thereof) which are included in the filler may beconfigured randomly and/or in a desired pattern such as a layered order(e.g., layer 1 upon layer 2, etc.). For example, the seeds may be placedin a layer of seed starter soil which is located upon a water wickinglayer such as may be formed by a fluid (e.g., water) wicking mesh layer(or layers) in communication with a fluid source, etc. Thus, the fillermay include one or more materials which may be layered in a certainorder, if desired.

The fluid wicking layer may be formed from any suitable water wickingmaterial such as an elastic material, a deformable material, a latticehaving sufficient openings, a compostable material, etc. which may, ifdesired, provide for the passage of roots. In some embodiments, thefiller may include a compostable germination sheet. In yet otherembodiments, the filler may include solid filler (e.g., a compressedfiller) such as is found in Miracle Grow™ Expand'n Grown™ or the like.The solid filler which may expand with time and/or with exposure to aliquid such as water and/or additives from, for example, the fluid fromthe flow manifold 106. Further, it is envisioned that the solid fillermay include one or more solid filler layers similarly to a loose fillerlayer.

In some embodiments such as those which include a solid filler, a seedscaffold, a compostable germination sheet (generally a solid filler), acompostable cardboard filler (e.g., including seeds), etc., the fillermay be attached to the substrate 104 using any suitable attachmentmethod (e.g. using friction fitting, adhesives, threads, bonding,welding, etc.). As attachment methods may vary based upon materials usedfor the substrate and/or the filler, the attachment methods should beselected to be compatible with either or both of the substrate (orportions thereof) and the filler (or portions thereof). Further, as agrow portion having a solid filler may lack a cavity, it may be assumedfor the sake of clarity, that a cavity of this grow portion may bedefined at least in part by an outer peripheral surface of the solidfiller of the corresponding grow portion.

The flow manifold 106 may be in controllable flow communication with oneor more fluid sources such as, for example, mains water, reservoir water(e.g., stored by the system), and additives. One or more valves may besituated between the one or more fluid sources (or parts thereof) andthe flow manifold to control the flow of fluids such as water and/oradditives supplied to the flow manifold 106. Further, the one or morevalves may be variably controlled by the controller so as to control anamount of fluids provided to the flow manifold 106. Accordingly, thecontroller may be configured to determine desired amounts of fluids fromthe fluid sources to be provided from the sources to the flow manifold106. Thus, the controller may control amounts of, and/or proportions of,additives (e.g., nutrients, bactericide, fungicide, herbicides,pesticides, etc.). Accordingly, the controller may be operative toactivate one or more pumps to pressurize fluids such that they may flowin the flow manifold 106. However, in yet other embodiments, a gravityflow system or pressure from a mains fluid supply may be operative topressurize fluid(s) of the system, if desired.

The system may further include sensors to provide sensor information,such as flow rates, flow velocity, conductivity, moisture levels, PHlevels, temperature, UV level, light intensity levels (e.g. sunlight),time (e.g., day, date, time), etc., to the controller. The controllermay then process the sensor information and determine when to openand/or close the one or more valves so as to open or close a flow offluid from the one or more fluid sources such as selected fluid sources.The one or more fluid sources may include water (mains), water(reservoir), water (well), nutrients (e.g., fertilizer), bactericide,herbicide, fungicide, and/or pesticide sources, as desired, and may beselected by the controller. The system may include algorithms and/orlookup tables which the controller may refer to determine actions toperform (e.g., open additive valve #1, close additive valve #2, openwater valve 1 (mains water), activate pressure pump #2 (10 psi),regulate fluid pressure (e.g., using a controlled pressure regulator)(line 1 10 psi), etc.), in accordance with sensor information. Thealgorithms and/or lookup tables may be formed and/or set by the system(e.g., heuristically using history information, etc.) and/or user. Thealgorithms and/or lookup table may be different for different varietiesof seeds, plants, weather patterns, location, and/or soil types, asdesired.

The system may also include solid flow valves and/or mixers which maymix a solid (e.g., fertilizer powder or solid) with a fluid such aswater. Thus, the sources may receive, for example, some additives in asolid form such as in a powder form and may thereafter mix thecorresponding powder with a liquid such as water so as to form a liquidfor distribution to one or more of the grow portions 104. Accordingly,in some embodiments, the one or more valves may include wet or dryvalves to control a flow of fluids or solids (e.g., solid powders),respectively.

Further, the present system may condense, collect, and/or store fluidssuch as water for later use. For example, it is envisioned that thecontroller may be configured to collect fluids using passive and/oractive techniques. For example, in some embodiments, it is envisionedthat the system may be operative to condense liquids from the atmosphereusing, for example, active or passive condensation techniques.Accordingly, the present system may include a cooling system (e.g., athereto-electric module (TEM)), a chiller, a heat pump, gas-basedrefrigerators, etc.), operative under the control of the controller tochill atmospheric air to condense water vapor contained in theatmosphere and/or may store the condensed water in a water reservoir ofthe present system. Further, it is envisioned that the controller may beoperative to control pumps and valves of the system to transfer thecollected fluids to a desired reservoir and/or fluid channel of thesystem.

Further, embodiments of the system may include fluid pumps which may becontrolled by the controller and which may be operative to pressurizefluids of the system such as water, additives, etc. Further, it isenvisioned that sensors of the system may provide sensor informationsuch as fluid level information, flow rate information, total flowinformation, pressure information, temperature, electrical resistance,acidity (e.g., PH) level, temperature, pressure, etc. for use by thecontroller to determine proper actions to perform based up the sensedinformation as may be discussed elsewhere.

The flow manifold 106 may include one or more drippers, emitters,openings and/or flow runners (generally runners) 108 which may beoperative to direct fluids contained within the flow manifold 106 to oneor more desired locations such as to one or more of the grow portions104. Accordingly, the runners 108 may be in flow communication with theflow manifold 106 and may receive fluid from the flow manifold 106 andmay be operative to transfer the received fluid to the correspondinggrow portions 104. The runners 108 may be shaped and/or sized to deliverfluids to the corresponding grow portions 104. In embodiments of thepresent system, the runners 108 may be shaped and/or sized to distributethe fluid to one or more desired locations of the corresponding growportions 104. Accordingly, the runners 108 may have one or more exitopenings and/or fluid control orifices such as flow valves 110. Further,one or more of the runners 108 may have a shape and/or size which is thesame as or different from other runners 108. The emitters and/ordrippers may be located within the flow manifold 106 and/or the runners108. For example, in some embodiments the emitters/drippers may besituated in the flow manifold 106 and may provide fluid to acorresponding runner 108. However, in yet other embodiments, theemitters/drippers may be located in a corresponding runner 108 and mayprovide fluid to an opening situated directly in the flow manifold 106.The flow manifold 106 and/or runners 108 or portions thereof may be of(fluid) return or returnless types. Further, the flow manifold 106and/or portions thereof may be formed from a foldable type material. Itis further envisioned that in some embodiments, that the flow manifoldmay be formed from one or more plastic layers which may be bonded toeach other and/or from a woven material

Further, in some embodiments, it is envisioned that the substrate mayinclude a plurality of cuts or straps through which the flow manifoldmay travel (e.g., from an upper surface to a lower surface and/or viceversa) such that the flow manifold 108 or portions thereof may beassumed to be threaded or woven into or through the substrate and/or maypass through the straps. Further, it is envisioned that the flowmanifold 108 may be foldable.

Each runner 108 may include one or more flow valves 110 (e.g.,emitters/drippers) which may control a fluid pressure and/or flow from acorresponding runner 108. The flow valves 110 may be set to controlfluid flow such that a desired fluid flow is maintained during operationand may be formed integrally with, or separately from, a correspondingrunner 108. For example, integrated flow valves 110 may be formed byshaping (e.g., using any suitable method such as welding, molding,seaming, bonding, etc.) one or more openings of corresponding runners todesired shapes and/or sizes. In yet other embodiments, flow valves maybe formed by cutting one or more openings in corresponding runners.However, in yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that flow valves 110may include an orifices (e.g., having a desired flow rate value (fixed)or range (e.g., actively controllable)) which may be attached tocorresponding runners. In yet other embodiments, the flow valves 110 mayinclude conventional emitters and/or drippers. The flow valves 110 maybe located at an end of or within a corresponding runner 108 and may beactive (e.g., controlled by the controller) or passive. However, it isalso envisioned that the flow valves 110 may be located in other areassuch as in the flow manifold 106 and/or runners 108. Further, is alsoenvisioned that one or more of the flow valves 110 may be operatedelectronically (e.g., actively) to control (e.g., by a controller of thepresent system) a flow pressure and/or rate. A water flow direction outof the flow valves 110 is indicated by arrow 118 and fluid which exits arunner 108 may be delivered to a corresponding grow portion 104.However, in yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that a water wickingmaterial of a grow portion 104 is in flow communication with the flowmanifold 106 or the runner 108 and is operative deliver or otherwisewick fluid from the flow manifold 106 or runner 108 to the correspondinggrow portion 104 so as to receive fluid from the flow manifold 106and/or runner 108. Accordingly, fluid such as water may be provided toeach grow portion 108 to promote growth of seeds and/or plants withinthe corresponding grow portion in an efficient manner. In someembodiments, the flow manifold 106 and/or the runner 108 may be includea foldable type hose. In yet other embodiments, the flow manifold 106and/or the runner 108 may include one or more layers. In furtherembodiments, the flow manifold 106 and/or the runners 108 may be formedfrom two or more substrates (e.g. films) bonded to each other so as toform a cavity within.

Although a row of grow portions 104 are shown to one side of the flowmanifold 106, it yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that a singleflow manifold 106 may be situated between, and supply fluids to, aplurality rows and/or columns of grow portions 104 situated on, forexample, two or more sides of the flow manifold 106. Thus, grow portions104 supplied with fluids by the flow manifold 106 may be located on oneor more sides of the corresponding flow manifold 106. Accordingly, therunners and/or flow valves 110 may be in flow communication with andlocated on both sides of a corresponding flow manifold 106.

In some embodiments, the flow manifold 106, the runners 108, and/or theflow valves 110 may be formed integrally with each other using, forexample, one or more polymer sheets which are sealed to each other alongan outer periphery and which has a cavity to form the flow manifold 106,the runners 108, and/or the flow valves 110. The flow valves 110 maycomprise an opening along the outer peripheral seal or may be formed atother locations, and should be shaped and sized such that it may providea desired liquid flow rate. However, in yet other embodiments, the flowvalves 110 may be actively controllable.

One or more of the manifold 106, the runners 108, and/or the flow valves110 may be formed using a suitable flow material as is known in the artsuch as, for example, rubber, vinyl, a woven material, a non-wovenmaterial, a multiple layered material, etc. It is further envisionedthat the sections of one or more of the manifold 106, the runners 108,and/or the flow valves 110 may be formed using porous material which mayallow liquids to pass therethrough such as is used in typical soakerhoses in which case the flow valves may not be necessary. The emittersand/or drippers may include conventional emitters and/or drippers as maybe manufactured by, for example, the Netafim™ corporation.

However, it is also envisioned that one or more portions of the flowmanifold 106, the runners 108, and/or the flow valves 110 may be formedusing tubular hoses which may be coupled to each other.

In some embodiments, it is envisioned that the grow portion and/orsubstrate may include control layers such as moisture retaining layers,moisture wicking layers, permeable layers (e.g., gas and/or moisturepermeable layers), matric control layers, and/or impermeable layers(e.g., gas and/or moisture impermeable layers), as desired. Accordingly,the control layers may remain for the duration of use, may be removed bya user (e.g., prior to use and/or at a certain time), and/or may decayor decompose (e.g., when exposed to desired conditions such as water,liquids (e.g., dissolvent, etc.), certain temperature(s), moisture,light (e.g., certain wavelengths of light such as sunlight. UV light,etc.), etc., and/or combinations thereof.

FIG. 2A is cross sectional view illustration of a portion of the system100 taken along lines 2A-2A of FIG. 1 in accordance with embodiments ofthe present system. The substrate 102 may form at least a portion of acavity 120 of the grow portion 104. An upper sheet 124 may be attachedto the substrate 102 so as to form at least another portion of thecavity 120 and may be attached to the substrate using any suitablemethod (e.g., welding, bonding, adhesives, stitching, etc.). However, inyet other embodiments, the upper sheet 124 may be formed integrally withthe substrate or portions thereof. A filler 115 may be located withinthe cavity 120 and, for the sake of clarity is assumed to include one ormore seeds and/or a seed starter mix (soil). However, in yet otherembodiments the filler may include a plant. Either or both of the uppersheet 124 and the substrate 102 may include one or more weakened areas126 which may separate and provide passage of portions of a plant suchas stems, roots, leaves, etc., to an opposite side of the weakened area126. In some embodiments, the weakened area may include a score, aperforated area (e.g., a perforated line, shape, etc.), a die or kisscut area, a reduced integrity area (as compared with other portions ofthe substrate 102), fabric (e.g., a knitted portion, etc.), an acid—orsolvent—etch areas, etc. The weakened areas 126 may weaken and providean opening when subject to a force (e.g., provided by a plant in thecavity 120 or provided by the system (e.g., when planting, a user,etc.)), exposed to light (e.g., sunlight, UV), moisture, chemicals(e.g., certain additives such as a solvent, etc.), etc., if desired.However, in yet other embodiments, the weakened areas 126 may include anopening having a desired shape and/or size. In yet further embodiments,the weakened areas 126 may include one or more materials (such as aknitted material (e.g., a stocking-type material, etc.)) which mayprovide passage of portions of a corresponding plant. The weakened areas126 may be continuous or discontinuous and may have a desired shapeand/or size. For example, in some embodiments, the weakened areas 126may include a plurality of openings in the substrate 102 and/or theupper sheet 124 sufficient to provide passage of a plant or plantswithin the cavity 120. The weakened areas 126 may extend substantiallyacross the substrate 102 if desired. However, in yet other embodiments,the weakened areas may have other shapes, sizes, orientations, etc.

One or more of the flow manifold 106, the runners 108, and/or the flowvalves 110 may be located adjacent to, over, upon, etc., and/or attachedto the substrate 102. The flow valves 110 (or orifices) may be locatedin proximity to the cavity 120 and/or filler 115 and may be locatedoutside of the cavity 120. Accordingly, fluid which passes exits fromthe flow valves 110 may be absorbed by the filler 115. Further, whenplacing the flow valves 110 outside of the cavity 120, the flow valves110 should be located above the filler 115 so that fluid which exits thelow valves 110 is deposited upon, or absorbed by, the filler 115.However, in yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that the flow valves110 may be located on an opposite major side of the substrate 102. Inyet other embodiments, it is envisioned that one or more of the flowmanifold 106, the runners 108, and/or the flow valves 110 may beattached to, or located on, opposite major sides of the substrate 102.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of a system100B in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system100B is similar the system 100 shown in FIG. 2A and includes a substrate102B and a grow portion 104B which are similar to the substrate 102 andgrow portion 104, respectively, of FIG. 1. However, the system 100Bincludes runners 108B (similar to runners 108) which are configured suchthat the terminating portion (including the exit orifice) of the flowvalve 110B is situated within the cavity 120B so that fluid(s) exit theflow valve 110B directly into a cavity 120B. This can reduce or preventundesirable evaporation of water provided to water the seed(s) orplant(s) within corresponding cavities 115B. In yet other embodiments,at least a terminating portion of the flow valve is situated partiallyor substantially within the cavity so that fluid(s) exit the flow valveinto the cavity. Further, the runners may be situated within a cavity ofa grow portion. The grow portion may be formed integrally with, orseparately from, the substrate.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of a system100C in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system100C is similar the system 100 shown in FIG. 2A. However, the system100C includes one or more runners 108C having a distribution manifold111C which includes multiple flow valves 110C. The multiple flow valves110C may be situated adjacent to (e.g., above) or within a cavity 120C.For example, assuming the cavity 120C has a round shape, the multipleflow valves 110C may be located in a circular, (annular) or semicircular(semi-annular) pattern such that the multiple flow valves 110C may belocated adjacent to, or within the cavity 120C of a corresponding growportion 104C. In yet other embodiments, the flow valves may be locatedinside of, or outside of, a corresponding cavity. The multiple flowvalves 110C may include openings situated in a wall of the distributionrunner 111C. Further, the distribution runner 111C may include acircular or semicircular shape and may be sized such that it may besituated atop or around a corresponding grow portion 104C.

FIG. 2D is a partially cutaway perspective view illustration of aportion of a system 200 in accordance with embodiments of the presentsystem. FIG. 2E is an exploded cross-sectional view illustration of aportion of a system 200 taken along lines 2E-2E of FIG. 2D in accordancewith embodiments of the present system. FIG. 2F is an explodedcross-sectional view illustration of a portion of a system 200 takenalong lines 2F-2F of FIG. 2D in accordance with embodiments of thepresent system. With reference to FIGS. 2D through 2F, the system 200may be similar to the system 100 and may include one or more of asubstrate 202, flow manifolds 206, and one or more grow portions 204.However, several rows (and/or columns) of flow manifolds 206 eachproviding liquid to corresponding grow portions 204. Further, the flowmanifold 206 may include a dripper line such as a Netafim™ with aninternal dripper/emitter 211 combination. In some embodiments, the flowmanifold 206 may be foldable and/or collapsible, if desired. Openings210 of the flow manifold 206 may be situated such that they may feed acorresponding grow portion 204. Moreover, one or more of the growportions 204 may be formed using tubular type knitted material (e.g.,similar to a material use for hosiery) through which portions of plantssuch as stems, roots, leaves, etc., may pass during growth. The growportions 204 may include a cavity 220 including a filler 215. Ends ofthe cavity 220 may be sealed using any suitable method such as gluing,bonding (e.g., heat bonding, etc.), staples 207, nylon tie-wraps,stitching, etc. The grow portions 204 may be attached to the substrate202 using any suitable method. For example, the stapes 207 may furtherbe configured to attach the grow portions 204 to the substrate 202. Theflow manifold 206 may be attached to the substrate 202 and/or the growportions 204 using any suitable method such as bonding, adhesives,staples, straps, loops, hook-and-loop fasteners, friction fits, threadedfasteners, etc. One or more of the flow manifolds 204 may be fluidlycoupled to each other and/or may be independent of each other and, insome embodiments, may receive fluid such as water and/or additives underthe control of a controller of the system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view illustration of a portion of asystem 300 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Thesystem 300 is similar to the system 100 of FIG. 1 and includes asubstrate 302, grow portions 304, and a fluid distribution system 305.However, the grow portions 304 are discrete grow portions may beattached to the substrate 302. Further, the substrate 302 may includeone or more openings 316. Each opening 316 may be shaped and/or sized soas to be suitable for providing passage of portions of plants such asstems, leaves, roots, etc., as may be desired. The fluid distributionsystem 305 may distribute water to one or more of the grow portions 304and may include one or more of a flow manifold 306, one or more runners308, and flow valves 310. The fluid distribution system 305 may becoupled to the substrate 302 using any suitable method. The flow valves310 may be fluidly coupled to the flow manifold 306 and may distributefluid (e.g., from the flow manifold 306) to corresponding grow portions304. The flow valves 310 may include, for example, a suitableopening(s), orifice(s), valves, etc., as may be desired. The growportions 304 may be are discrete from, and attached to, a substrate 302.Further, the substrate 302 may include openings 312 at whichcorresponding grow portions 304 are attached. The openings 312 should beshaped and sized to allow passage of portions (e.g., roots, stems, etc.)of plants situated in a corresponding grow portion of the grow portions304. A one or more runners 306 are in fluid communication with the flowmanifold 306 and may provide fluid to flow valves 310. The flow valves310 may provide the fluid to corresponding grow portions 304. In yetother embodiments, one or more of the flow manifold 306, the one or morerunners 306, and the flow valves 310 are located on opposite majorsurfaces of the substrate 302. Accordingly, vias may be provided toprovide for fluid communication between the flow manifold 306, the oneor more runners 306, and the flow valves 310 which are located onopposite major surfaces of the substrate 302. In yet other embodiments,it is envisioned that one or more of the grow portions 304, the flowmanifold 306, the one or more runners 306, and the flow valves 310 arelocated on opposite major surfaces of the substrate 302. For example, insome embodiments when in use growing plants the grow portions may belocated underneath the substrate and the fluid distribution system orportions thereof may be located above the substrate or on the same sideof the substrate. In yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that thegrow portions and/or fluid distribution system may be located above thesubstrate during use when growing plants.

In some embodiments, the substrate 302 may include one or more cuts 371which may define at least part of an opening 373 through which a portionof the flow manifold 306. The cuts 371 may define at least part of aloop 375 which may secure the flow manifold 306, if desired.

Further, in some embodiments, it is envisioned that the grow portions304 may be secured to the substrate using flexible (e.g. accordiontype), threaded and/or friction fit type couplers. It is furtherenvisioned that in some embodiments, protective sphere (e.g., atransparent or substantially transparent) or portions thereof may extendover a corresponding grow portion to provide protection such as impact,weather, and/or thermal protection to the corresponding grow portion304.

FIG. 4 is cutaway exploded side view illustration of a portion of thesystem 300 taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 in accordance withembodiments of the present system. The grow portion 304 may be attachedto the substrate 304 using any suitable method (e.g., sewing, welding,adhesives, friction fitting, pins, rivets, etc.). For example, in someembodiments, the grow portion 304 may be formed from a knitted material(e.g., a stocking or hosing-type fabric, etc.) and may be bonded, weldedand/or sewn to the substrate 304. However, in yet other embodiments, thesubstrate may include reinforced area such as an annular reinforcementarea (e.g., a ring) situated around an inner periphery of the openingand which may be configured to hold the grow portion in place relativeto the opening using any suitable method such as a friction fit, a screwmount, a bayonet-type mount, adhesives, etc. Further, it is envisionedthat one or more of the grow portions may be inserted and/or removed bya user.

It is further envisioned that one or more the portions of the system(e.g., 100, 300, etc.) may be labeled. This may aid in a process ofmatching and/or tracking grow portions and/or plants. The labels mayinclude an identification such as a grow portion identifier (GPID) whichmay identify a grow portion and an opening ID (OID). The GPID may berepresented as text, graphics (e.g., an SKU), and/or in electronic form(e.g., as a radio-frequency identification (RFID)) signal generated byan RFID tag associated with the corresponding grow portion. The GPID mayinclude information such as plant type or other information which mayidentify the plant such as name, (e.g., Purple Cherokee Tomato,classification (e.g. species, genus, family, etc.) etc.), color,identification (e.g., experimental crop no. x1234, etc.), dateinformation (date information (e.g., packing date, use by date,expiration date, best by date, growing date, etc.)), brand (e.g.,Burpee™, etc.), filler information (filler mix identification (10.0 oz.,Scotts™, etc.), mix percentage, etc.), desired location information(e.g., plant at row 5 of substrate), preparation information (e.g.,pelletized, primed, etc.), and/or other information such as informationwhich may be desirable for commercial sale, distribution, research,development (e.g., experimental crop development information), etc. Withregard to the substrate, the substrate and/or areas of the substrate(e.g., rows, columns, openings, etc.) may be identified using asubstrate ID (SID). The SID may include an identifier which may identifythe substrate (e.g., substrate no. 5, Scotts, Experimental. January2015, 10 oz, soil, 10 seeds (each of XY species), etc.) and/or mayidentify portions thereof. For example, each opening associated with agrow portion may be identified (e.g., by number, row/column, size,geophysical location, 10.0 oz./hr, fluid flow head (e.g., associatedfluid flow rate from fluid distribution system), etc.) using, forexample, an RFID tag. Thus, each substrate may include one or more RFIDtransmitter/receiver (Tx/Rx) which may identify the substrate and/orportions thereof.

The identification of the substrate and/or grow portions may enable thesystem to generate and/or provide the system and/or a user (e.g. byrendering the information on a display of the system, etc.) withinformation which matches grow portions to openings and/or locationrelative to a substrate and/or a geophysical location. For example, thesystem may include an application which may render (e.g., on a displayof the system, etc.) information indicative of SIDs (1, 2, 3, 4, . . . ,and corresponding GPIDs, type-3, type-4, type-4, . . . , respectively).Thus, for example, a user may select a gardening style (e.g., HollandTulip early spring mix, alternating colors, single row, GPID 4 and GPID5), and the application may determine SID and matching GPIDs andthereafter render information related to the determination (e.g., on adisplay of the system, etc.) for the convenience of a user. For example,assuming that there are nine openings 1 through 9 arranged in a singlerow in a substrate, the system may determine that openings numbers 1, 3,5, 7, and 9 may be assigned GPID 4 (e.g., red tulips) and openingsnumbers 2, 4, 6, and 8, receive GPID 5 (e.g., blue tulips). The systemmay then form a desired substrate and attach corresponding grow portionsto the substrate at the determined positions (e.g., corresponding to theabove-described openings). The system may further shape and/or formsubstrates in accordance with topography of a desired area which may beobtained from a database of the system and/or from a third partyapplication (e.g., Google™ Maps, etc.).

Further, the determined SIDs and GPID information may be rendered inelectronic form for assembly operations at a remote location. Further,one or more grow portions may include a radio-frequency identification(RFID) transmitter/receiver (Tx/Rx) which may transmit and/or receiveinformation about a corresponding plant. This information may be used toprogram a fluid supply system, inform a user of a corresponding plant'sID information (e.g., which may be useful in a Botanical garden, etc.(e.g., type: Brooklyn Rose, year planted: 1984, place: New YorkBotanical Garden™)), and/or provide plant identification information(e.g., plant no 123456-com, which may be useful for growing and trackingexperimental crops).

In yet other embodiments, the grow portions may include a cup-likemember such as a flower pot, a cylinder. In some embodiments, it isenvisioned that the grow portions may include a screw drill portionwhich may be rotated (e.g., by a user or by the system when planting) todig the grow portion into the soil. Further, the grow portion may beattached to the corresponding opening using a slip-rig type arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view illustration of a portion of asystem 500 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Thesystem 500 is similar to the system 300 of FIG. 3 and includes one ormore of a substrate 502, grow portions 504, and a fluid distributionsystem 505. However, the grow portions 504 are arranged on in a patternarranged so that grow portions 504 are on either side of the fluiddistribution system 505. The fluid distribution system 505 may includeone or more of a flow manifold 505, runners 508 and flow valves 510 influid communication with each other. However, the flow valves 510 may aflow valve such as flow valve 505 which comprises an opening 510A in theflow manifold 505 and may provide fluid to grow portion 504A. Thepattern formed by placement of the grow portions 504 may be determinedand/or formed by the system.

FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway top view illustration of a portion of asystem 600 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Thesystem 600 is similar to the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 and includes asubstrate 602 grow portions 604, and a fluid distribution system 605.For the sake of clarity, only a single grow portion 604 andcorresponding portion of the fluid distribution system 605 may be shownand described. The grow portion 604 may include upper sheet 624 whichmay define a portion of a cavity 620 configured to receive a filler 615.The grow portion 604 may further include integrated and/or discrete growportions (e.g., see, FIG. 3 for discrete grow portions). The filler 615which may be situated within the cavity 620 and may include one or moreseeds or plant. The upper sheet 624 has been partially cutaway to revealthe cavity 620 and filler 615 (which has also been partially cutaway)optionally contained therein.

One or more sensors such as a sensor 626 may sense environmentalconditions at or in cavity 620, the filler 615 and/or areas adjacent tothe filler 615 and/or cavity 620. For example, the sensor 626 may detectmoisture, temperature, acidity, etc., and may form corresponding sensorinformation. The sensor 626 (as well as other sensors of other growportions) may be coupled to a controller via any suitable method such asbus 622. Accordingly, the sensor 626 may form sensor information andtransmit the sensor information to the controller. In a similar mannerthe controller may transmit information such as command and/or controlinformation to the sensor 626 to, for example, acquire a reading etc.The bus 622 may include any suitable bus and may be wired and/orwireless or combinations thereof. Further, the bus 626 may include aproprietary bus, an analog bus, a digital bus, a network bus (e.g., alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, acontroller area network (CAN)-type bus, etc. For example, when using awireless bus, one or more sensor 626 may include a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) transmitter which may transit information (e.g.,in response to a query) to an RFID interrogator (e.g., mounted upon amobile station, etc.). However, it is also envisioned that one or moresensors 626 may include a wired and/or wireless transmitter(s) which mayoperate using other standards, protocols, methods, etc. For example,with regard to wireless transmitters, one or more of the sensors 626 mayinclude other types of wireless transmitters such as Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™GSM™, CDMA™, etc., -type transmitters. Further, the system may includerepeaters which may relay information between the controller and thesensors 626. For example, the repeaters may transmit/receive informationto/from one or more of the sensors 626 using a low power link (e.g.,RFID, Bluetooth™, etc.) and may transmit/receive information (e.g.,information to be relayed) to the controller using a higher-power link(e.g., GSM). Thus, the system may include one or more repeaters each ofwhich may serve a plurality of sensors 626. Moreover, each sensor 626may include identification information in the sensor information. Theidentification information may identify a sensor, its corresponding growarea, row, column, geophysical coordinates (location), etc. Thisinformation may be used by the controller to track crop growth and/or todetermine desired actions such as apply additives (e.g., fertilizer,etc.), apply water, heat, etc.

The fluid distribution system 605 may include one or more of a flowmanifold 605, one or more runners 608, a distribution manifold 611, andflow valves 610 in fluid communication with each other. The grow portion604 may include a cavity 620 and/or a filler 615. The distributionmanifold 611 may have a shape which may correspond with a shape of thegrow portion 604. For example, if the grow portion is square, thedistribution manifold may be square, etc. However, in yet otherembodiments, the distribution manifold 611 may have a shape and/or sizewhich corresponds with a desired shape and/or size and/or a desiredfluid distribution pattern. For example, assuming the grow portion 604of the present example is substantially round and an even fluiddistribution pattern is desired, the distribution manifold 611 may havean annular, circular, semicircular, and/or crescent shape which may belocated at an outer periphery of a corresponding grow portion 604. Thedistribution manifold 611 may include a plurality of flow valves 610separated from each other and which may distribute fluid from the fluiddistribution system 605 to multiple locations of the grow portion 604such as to the cavity 620 and/or filler 615 of the grow portion 604. Forexample, the flow valves 610 may distribute fluid in various directionssome of which are illustrated by arrows FD.

In some embodiments, the distribution manifold may be located at oradjacent to an outer periphery of a grow portion. However, in yet otherembodiments, the distribution manifold may superpose (e.g., superimpose,extend over, or overlap) at least part of a corresponding grow portion.For example, in some embodiments, the distribution manifold may have adesired shape and/or may correspond with a shape of a corresponding growportion such as a zigzag or “S” shape.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of the system600 taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6 in accordance with embodiments ofthe present system. The system 600 is similar to system 100C shown inFIG. 2C. However, the distribution manifold 611 and multiple flow valves610 may be situated within the cavity 620. However, in yet otherembodiments, the distribution manifold 611 and/or the multiple flowvalves 610 may be situated adjacent to (e.g., above (e.g., see, FIG.2C), below, to the side of etc.) a corresponding cavity 620. Only aportion of the filler 615 is shown for clarity.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 800in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 800 issimilar to the system 100 of FIG. 1 and includes one or more of asubstrate 802, one or more grow portions 804, and a fluid distributionsystem 805. However, the system 800 includes a barrier 830 (shown in theopen position) which may form at least a portion of a barrier cavity832. The substrate 802 may form at least another portion of the cavity832. The barrier cavity 832 may provide an environment suitable forgrowth of plants. This environment may insulate the plants from ambientconditions (e.g., cold/hot temperatures, rain, hail, snow, frost, etc.),contamination (e.g., acid rain, pollution, etc.), and invasive species,and may be controlled (e.g., by a controller of the system) to providedesired environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and/orgas/mixture ratio or ranges. The barrier 830 may be formed from anysuitable material or materials and may include a single or multiplelayers which may be laminated and/or otherwise coupled to each other.Further, the barrier 830 may include one or more layers which may whichhave different characteristics. For example, in some embodiments, thebarrier 830 may include a clear or translucent material (e.g., layer)which may provide for passage of natural (e g, sunlight) or artificiallight rays or certain frequencies thereof. Further, the barrier 830 mayinclude one or more insulating layers which may insulate the secondarycavity. For example, the one or more insulating layers may include athermal insulation layer, a reflective layer, etc. Moreover, the barrier830 may include one or more layers such as filtering layers which mayfilter certain frequencies of rays such as ultra violet (UV) rays, etc.such that they are fully or partially filtered (attenuated) by thelayer. The barrier 830 may be coupled to the substrate 802 using anysuitable method (e.g., bonding, welding, etc.) and may include one ormore weakened area (e.g., scores, etc.) the barrier 830 (in whole orpart) may be separated from the substrate 802 and/or other portions ofthe barrier 830 so that the barrier cavity 832 may be opened to theenvironment. However, in yet other embodiments, it is envisioned thatthe system may include a cutting mechanism to separate at least aportion of the barrier from the substrate.

The fluid distribution system 805 may distribute water to one or more ofthe grow portions 804 and may include one or more of a flow manifold806, one or more runners 808, and flow valves 810 through which fluidsmay exit therefrom. The grow portions may include a wicking material toabsorb fluids from the fluid distribution system.

The grow portions 804 may include a cavity 820 in which a filler 815 maybe located. An outer periphery of the grow portion 804 may include oneor more openings and/or weakened areas such as weakened area 826 throughwhich portions of a plant situated within the grow portion 804 mayextend.

The barrier 830 may include one or more positions such as a closed(e.g., folded) position (e.g., during transport, storage, placement,etc.) and/or the opened position (e.g., during plant growth periods). Inthe closed position, the barrier 830 may be folded flat over thesubstrate 802 so as to collapse the barrier cavity 832. Accordingly, thecombination of the substrate 802, the grow portions 804, the fluiddistribution system 805, and the barrier 830 may be folded and/or rolledto conserve space. The system may include a support mechanism to holdthe barrier 830 in the open position. The support mechanism may includean inflatable support mechanism such as transverse chambers 836.However, in yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that the barriercavity 832 may be pressurized to hold it fully or partially in an openposition. Accordingly, the substrate 802 may be formed from a suitablematerial to fully or partially seal the barrier cavity 832. However, inyet other embodiments, it is envisioned that the support mechanism mayinclude rigidity enhancing members such as tensioning mechanisms (e.g.,support wires or cables) and/or rods (e.g., fiberglass rods) which maybe coupled to the one or more portions of the barrier 830. Accordingly,the barrier 830 may include couplings (e.g., hooks, loops, straps,grommets, etc.) configured to couple (the barrier 830) to the tensioningmechanisms. Further, the barrier 830 may include one or more flapsincluding a sealing mechanism (e.g., a zipper, seal, etc.) which may beopened to access plants within the barrier cavity 832. Further, thebarrier 830 may cover a one or more grow portions 804. The covered growportions 804 include grow portions in the same row or column or inmultiple rows and/or columns.

An inflation manifold 834 may be coupled to one or more of the chambers836 via openings 838 and may provide pressurized gas or liquid to thechambers 836 to hold the barrier 830 in the open position. The chambers836 may be positioned so as to properly support the barrier 830. Forexample, the chambers 836 may extend transversely across the barrier830. However, it is also envisioned that the chambers 836 may extend ina longitudinal direction of the barrier 830. The chambers 836 may bepressurized by an inflation pump operative under the control of thecontroller and which may be coupled to the inflation manifold 834.Pressure release valves may be provided to release pressure and maypassive (e.g., release pressure when it exceeds a threshold value) ormay be active and controlled by the controller which may determinepressure in the inflation manifold 834 and control the pressure so thatit is within a desired value or range. In yet other embodiments, thechambers may include substantially vertical chambers.

The substrate 802 may extend beyond an outer periphery of the barrier830 and may include transverse rods 144 to provide tension the substrate802, if desired. Further, the substrate 802 may include a barrier orseal to prevent or reduce a flow of gas from the barrier cavity 832, ifdesired. Moreover, the substrate 802 may include opening, notches, tabs,marking, etc., to aid in the handling and placement of the substrate 802and/or the attachment of the substrate 802 to adjacent substrates 802.

FIG. 9 is cross sectional view illustration of a portion of the system800 taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8 in accordance with embodiments ofthe present system and FIG. 10 is a side view illustration of a portionof the system 800 in accordance with embodiments of the present system.The barrier 830 may include one or more end walls such as end walls 842configured to seal (fully or partially) at least a portion of thebarrier cavity 832 such as ends of the barrier cavity 832. However, inyet other embodiments, openings may be provided in other portions of thebarrier 830. Further, the barrier may include other openings to provideairflow (e.g., in or out of the barrier cavity 832), if desired.Moreover, the barrier 830 may include one or more vents (e.g., vents 838and 840 configured to receive and/or vent gas within the barrier cavity832, respectively, is indicated by arrows 837 and 839 which illustrateinlet and outlet gas flows, respectively as shown in FIG. 10). However,it is envisioned that other gas flow directions through the vents 838and 840 may be used. The vents 838, 840 may be placed anywhere in thebarrier 830 such as in an end 842, etc.

The barrier cavity 832 may have a height which may provide for thegrowth of plants such as plant 801 within the cavity to a desiredheight.

Moreover, the system may include one or more pumps, fans, and/or valveswhich may operate under the control of the controller, and which may beconfigured to provide gas (e.g., air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide,etc.) to the barrier cavity 832, pressurize the barrier cavity 832,and/or to vent gas from the barrier cavity 832. Accordingly, the one ormore pumps, fans, and/or valves may be coupled to the barrier cavity 832using any suitable method. The system may further be coupled to a sourceof gases such as one or more greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide,etc.) and may provide these gases to the barrier cavity 832 to aid inthe growth of the plants of the system such as plants 801. Accordingly,the plants may use the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide toconduct photosynthesis. Further, the controller may control theenvironment with in the barrier cavity 832 to control pests which may bein the barrier cavity 832 by, for example, introducing gases such aspesticides or gasses such as carbon dioxide (at increased levels).

The system 800 may further include one or more sensors within thebarrier cavity 832 to sense environmental conditions with the barriercavity 832 such as temperature, humidity, illumination, acidity, etc.,and provide the corresponding sensor information to a controller of thesystem.

It is further envisioned that the substrate and/or the barrier mayinclude an insulating material such as a bubble wrap or bubble pack typematerial. In some other embodiments, it is envisioned that inflatedpillows may be inserted within and support the barrier cavity in theopened position and may be removed when the barrier is removed.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 800Bin accordance with embodiments of the present system. FIG. 9B is crosssectional view illustration of a portion of the system 800B taken alonglines 9B-9B of FIG. 8B in accordance with embodiments of the presentsystem. FIG. 10B is a side view illustration of a portion of the system800B in accordance with embodiments of the present system.

Referring to FIGS. 8B, 9B, and 10B, the system 800B is similar to thesystem 800 of FIG. 8 and includes one or more of a substrate 802B, oneor more grow portions 804B, and a fluid distribution system 805B andsimilar numerical designations are provided with a “B” postfix. Thus,the inflation manifold 834 of FIG. 8 may be illustrated as an inflationmanifold 834B in FIG. 8B. However, the system 800B is suitable for lowpressure and/or gravity environments such as a space environment and thebarrier 830B fully or substantially about the substrate 802B so that thegrow portions 804B are fully situated within the barrier cavity 832Bwhich may be pressurized above an ambient atmosphere or pressure.Accordingly, the barrier 830B may include second portion 835B (e.g.,see, FIG. 9B). One or more portions of the barrier 830B may be coatedwith an insulating material such as a vapor deposited aluminum, gold, athermal insulator, etc., which may be suitable for a desired environment(e.g., space). The fluid distribution system 805B may distribute waterto one or more of the grow portions 804B and may include one or more ofa flow manifold 806B, one or more runners 808B, and flow valves 810Bthrough which fluids may transferred a fluid wicking material of acorresponding grow portion 804B. A fluid transfer directly to a wickingmaterial may be desirable in reduced gravity and/or zero-gravityenvironments.

An other inflation manifold 837B may be provided and may be similar tothe inflation manifold 834B and may be pressurized from the same orsimilar pressure source. Thus, for example, inflation manifolds 834B and837B may be coupled to each other. A coupler 841B may couple the system800 in a desired location such as to a vessel 833B (e.g., a spacecraft,etc.) and may provide one or more degrees of freedom (e.g., 6 degrees,etc.) about one or more axes. The coupler 841B may further fluidly,electronically, and/or gaseously, couple the system to the vessel 833B,if desired. Moreover, the barrier 830B may include one or more vents(e.g., vents 838B and 840B configured to receive and/or vent gas withinthe barrier cavity 832B, respectively, is indicated by arrows 8378 and839B which illustrate inlet and outlet gas flows, respectively as shownin FIG. 10B). The vent 840B may be coupled to the coupler 841B so thatan outlet gas flow from the vent 840B may be returned to the coupler841B. The vent 840B may include a cavity which may formed, at least inpart, integrally with the barrier 830B and/or substrate 802B, ifdesired. One or more portions of the barrier 830B may be folded aboutand/or coupled to the substrate 802B. For example, FIG. 10C illustratesthe system 800B with the barrier 830B and substrate 802B in a rolledconfiguration in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Thesystem 800B may be unrolled by pressurizing one or more chambers of thesubstrate 800B and/or barrier 830B.

An atmosphere from the vessel 833B may be transferred to the barriercavity 832B and may be processed (e.g., oxygenated and/or scrubbed ofundesirable gasses and/or compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2),etc.) by plants situated within the barrier cavity 832B and returned tothe vessel 833B to enhance an atmosphere within the vessel 833B. FIG.10C is a schematic view of the system 800 attached to the vessel 833Band in a rolled (e.g., see, FIG. 18B) configuration for storage and/ortransportation in accordance with embodiments of the present system.

The coupler 841B may include a quick connect-type coupler and mayinclude an airlock to close cavities within the coupler 841B such asfluid and/or gas cavities, if desired. The coupler 841B may furtherinclude one or more actuators controlled by the controller and which mayrotate and/or otherwise move the substrate about the one or more axes.Accordingly, the coupler 841B may position one or more portions of thesubstrate system 800B in a desired orientation (e.g., such as an uppersurface of the substrate 802B facing the sun, etc.) to enhance growth ofplants contained within and/or provide proper insulation. Further, oneor more portions of the barrier 830B may include a shielding portionsuch as a passive or active (e.g., controlled by the controller) filterswhich may passively or actively, respectively, shield radiation such assolar radiation. In some embodiments, the barrier 830B may form acylindrical tube with closed ends defining a cavity such as the barriercavity 832B in which the substrate 802B may be situated. Rigidityenhancing chambers such as inflation manifolds (e.g., see, 834B and837B, etc.) may extend in one or more desired direction such astransversely, longitudinally, radially, axially, etc., if desired. Inletand outlet passages may be coupled to the barrier 830B to provide a gasflow within the barrier cavity 832B.

One or more sealable openings may be provided to access the barriercavity 832B (e.g., to access and/or remove plants or portions thereofsuch as vegetables, legumes, etc.). In some embodiments, tools such ascutters, etc., may be inserted through the coupler 841B (e.g., via aproprietary cavity and/or a cavity of one of the vents) and into thebarrier cavity 832B so as to interact with plants within the barriercavity 832B and/or remove portions thereof (e.g. fruits, vegetables,legumes, cuttings, seeds, cuttings, etc.). The tools may includecontrollable flexible body portions (e.g., similar to an endoscope,etc.) and may be controlled by a user. The tools may access the barriercavity 832B without interrupting an atmosphere within the barrier cavity832B, if desired. By providing optional rigidity enhancing chamberswhich are separate from the barrier cavity 832B, an atmosphere withinthe barrier cavity 832B may controlled independent of the rigidityenhancing chambers and vice versa. This may optimize control therigidity of the system 800B.

Sensors may be provided to provide sensor information such as pressure,temperature, humidity, moisture, solar radiation, solar angle, etc., forfurther processing by a controller of the system 800B.

The control portion may be located internally and/or externally of thevessel and may control fluid delivery (water, nutrients, etc.) to thefluid distribution system 805B and/or gas delivery and/or exchangewithin the barrier cavity 832B.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 800Cin accordance with embodiments of the present system. FIG. 9C is crosssectional view illustration of a portion of the system 800B taken alonglines 9C-9C of FIG. 8C in accordance with embodiments of the presentsystem. The system 800C is similar to the system 800 of FIGS. 8 and 800Bof FIG. 8B and includes one or more of a substrate 802C, one or moregrow portions 804C, and a fluid distribution system 805C and similarnumerical designations are provided with a “C” postfix. The barrier 830Cmay include a tubular cylinder cylindrical and/or oval cross sectiondefining a barrier cavity 832C in which the substrate 802C is located.The substrate 802C may be attached to the barrier 830C using anysuitable method. One or more portions of plants of a grow portion mayextend from the grow portions 804C from one or more sides, if desired.The substrate 802C may be centrally located relative to the barrier830C. However, in yet other embodiments the substrate 802C may belocated asymmetrically within the barrier 830C. Further, portions of thebarrier cavity 832C to either major side of the substrate 802C may haveatmospheres which may be the same as or vary from each other. Forexample, in some embodiments, the atmosphere on a first major side ofthe substrate 802C may have more moisture than on the other major sideof the substrate 802C. Ends of the barrier 830C may be sealed similarlyto ends of the barrier 830B. Vents may be provided to access,pressurize, and/or vent the barrier cavity 832C. The vents may begaseously coupled to the controller. Further, the fluid distributionsystem 805C may be fluidly coupled to the controller which may controlthe overall operation of the system 800C.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 1100in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 1100 issimilar to the system 100 of FIG. 1 and includes a substrate 1102, growportions 1104, and a fluid distribution system 1105. However, the growportions 1104 have a different shapes. This may be useful when creatinga landscape with different sized and/or shaped grow portions 1104. Thefluid distribution system 1105 may distribute water to one or more ofthe grow portions 1104 and may include one or more of a flow manifold1106, one or more runners 1108, and flow valves 1110. Further, the flowvalves 1110 may include openings in a side wall of the flow manifold1106.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 1200in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 1200 issimilar to the system 1100 of FIG. 11 and includes a substrate 1202,grow portions 1204, and a fluid distribution system 1205. However, thesubstrate 1202 has a curved shape. Similarly, the fluid distributionsystem 1205 may include curved areas. For example, the fluiddistribution system 1205 may include one or more of a flow manifold1206, one or more runners 1208, and flow valves 1210 which may be shapedand/or sized in accordance with a shape of the substrate and/or growportions 1204. This shape may be formed by the controller of the systemto correspond with a shape and/or size of a desired area. Accordingly,for example, the controller may determine a size and/or shape of an areaor volume (e.g., a landscaped area, etc.) and may cut the substrateand/or set the size and/or shape of one or more grow areascorrespondingly. Further, the substrate may include one or more cuts ornotches such as notch 1212 to enable the substrate 1202 to confirm to asurface of an area to which it is to be applied without having to foldportions of the substrate 1202. In other words, the substrate mayinclude cuts for confirming to a three-dimensional surface or to adesired shape. With regard to conforming to three-dimensional shapessuch as may be encountered when applying substrates of the presentsystem to landscapes, terrain, farms, the process may employ mapprojection methods or the like to determine a shape of one or more ofthe substrate, the fluid distribution system, the grow portions.Further, system may use a selected landscape from, for example,landscape library of the system, which may set forth landscape styles(e.g., mixed tulips and grass, etc.) which, may be selected by the userusing a UI of the system. Accordingly, the system may include anapplication which may transform coordinates from a curved surface (e.g.,of an area to which the substrate is to be applied) to a plane (e.g., tothe substrate) such as a plane of the substrate. In other words, theprocess may employ a projection application which include mathematicalfunction configured to transform coordinates from the curved surface tothe plane. Further, substrates of the present system may be configuredto include relieve areas, weakened areas, cuts, notches, etc.,configured to so that the substrates may confirm to three dimensionalareas.

Further, the system may obtain map information such as imageryinformation (e.g., satellite imagery information, map information,topography information, etc.) from any suitable source (e.g., Google™Earth™ Google™ Maps™, topographic information, street-level imageinformation, etc.), process the information in accordance with a currentlocation (e.g., a user selected location such as 123 Mockingbird Lane,Anyplace, AnyState 12345, USA) and determine landscape information. Thesystem may further analyze the map information to determine shadepatterns and form corresponding shade information. Then, the system maydetermine substrate specifications for one or more substrates inaccordance with a (e.g., user) selected landscape style, the substratespecifications, and/or the shade information. Accordingly, the systemmay receive an address (e.g., an address, a location, a landmark, etc.)from a user, a selected landscape style from the user, obtain mapinformation for the corresponding address, and form correspondingsubstrate information. Then, the substrate information may be used toform a substrate including a corresponding fluid delivery system,sensors, and/or grow portions (style, fill, and/or placement). Thisprocess will be explained in further detail below. Embodiments of thepresent system may include a landscape design application in which auser may select a landscape to apply to a desired area. The user mayselect plants (e.g., plants, flowers, etc.) to place in the landscape.The system may obtain image information of a selected area from variousimaging sources such as satellite image information, street or groundview information, picture information, live image information (e.g.,video information), three-dimensional image information, proximityinformation (e.g., as may be obtained using a proximity detection systemsuch as a Microsoft™ Kinect™ type proximity detection system),topographic map information, etc. The system may obtain the imageinformation directly or via a third party resource such as Google™Earth™, etc. The system may then combine image information from one ormore sources (e.g., Google™ Earth™ and Topographic information, etc.) togenerate a current area map. Then system may then map out and/or formsubstrates and corresponding planting portions in accordance with thecurrent map area. For example, upon detecting a circular driveway, asubstrate to be applied adjacent to the circular driveway would have agenerally round shape when viewed from above. Thus, the system mayobtain a current area map. Using a landscape design application (e.g., athird-party landscape design application), user selections (e.g., flowertypes, location, etc.) be applied to the current area map to determine alandscape area map. The system may then configure one or more substratesin accordance with the landscape area map such that plants such asflowers may grow in accordance with the user selections.

FIG. 13 is a partial cutaway top view illustration of a portion of asystem 1300 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Thesystem 1300 is similar to the system 600 shown in FIG. 6 and includesone or more of substrate 1302 grow portions 1304, sensors 1326, and afluid distribution system 1305. However, the system 1300 shows a controlportion 1348 including a controller 1350. Further, the system 1300 mayinclude a plurality of substrates 1302 and corresponding sensors 1326,fluid distribution system 1305, and grow portions 1304 each of which maybe coupled to the a common control portion 1348 so that it is operativein accordance with embodiments of the present system. For the sake ofclarity, only a single substrate 1304 and corresponding sensors 1326,fluid distribution system 1305, and grow portions will be described.Further, heaters may be coupled to the substrate 1302 and/orcorresponding grow portions 1306-x.

The fluid distribution system 1305 may include a plurality of flowmanifolds 1306-1 and 1306-2 (generally 1306-x) each of which may providefluid provided thereto to one or more corresponding grow portions 1304directly or via runners 1308. Thus, each flow manifold 1306-x may serveone or more grow portions 1304 or groups of grow portions 1304. Forexample, grow portions of a first group may include plants such astulips may be served by the flow manifold 1306-1 while grow portions ofa second group including a different type of plant may be served by theflow manifold 1306-2. Thus, the flow manifolds 1306-x may providedifferent amounts of fluids, and/or different types of fluids such aswater, fertilizer, pesticide, etc., to grow portions 1304 which itprovides fluid to. However, it is also envisioned that in someembodiments a grow portion may receive fluids from more than one flowmanifolds 1306-x. Further, it is envisioned that each flow manifold1306-x may provide fluids grow portions 1304 of a row, column, area,etc. and/or portions thereof.

The sensors 1326 may include wired and/or wireless sensors (as may bedescribed elsewhere) and may sense conditions at a corresponding growportion (e.g., temperature, humidity, moisture levels, acidity,chemicals, enzymes, etc., as may be desired by a user) and may becoupled to the controller 1350 using any suitable method such as a wiredand/or wireless methods. For example, the sensors may communicate usinga wireless communication method (e.g., RFID, Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™, GSM™,CDMA™, etc.) or via a wired bus such as a bus 1322. In some embodiments,each sensor may transit an ID with sensor information and/or may have anaddress. In some embodiments information from each sensor may beidentified by grow portion plant type (e.g., by sensor ID, location,area, grow portion type (e.g., Tulips, Tomatoes, etc.). Although asensor is shown with each corresponding grow portion 1304, in someembodiments, a single sensor or a plurality of sensors may be providedfor a plurality of grow portions 1304. Further, sensors may be locatedin other areas such as upon the substrate 1302 at a distance from growportions 1304 and may detect environmental conditions such asillumination intensity, temperature, wind direction, humidity levels,rain sensors, etc. The controller may process this information and setsystem functions (e.g., when it is determined that the temperature dropsbelow a threshold temperature, the system may activate heaters).

The control portion 1348 may include one or more of a controller 1350, amemory 1352, a fluid collector (FC) 1354, a fluid portion 1356, valves1358, and a user interface (UI) 1360.

The controller 1350 may include one or more processors (e.g.,microprocessors, etc.) or other logic devices and may control theoverall operation of the system. For example, the controller 1350 mayreceive sensor information, process the sensor information, and controlfunctions of the system accordingly. The controller 1350 may include oneor more processors which may be locally and/or remotely located relativeto each other. The controller 1350 may communicate with the memory 1352,the FC 1354, the fluid portion 1356, and/or the UI 1360 via wired and/orwireless methods. The controller 1350 may communicate with portions ofthe system and/or external sources (e.g., a website such as a companywebsite, etc.) via a network such as the network 1362.

The network 1362 may include any suitable network such as a local bus, aproprietary network, local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), an intranet, the Internet, a controller area network (CAN), etc.The controller 1350 may communicate with the network via wired and/orwireless communication methods.

The memory 1352 may include any suitable memory such as a local memory,a remote memory, a distributed memory, etc. The memory 1352 may storeinformation used and/or generated by the system.

The FC 1354 may include active and/or passive condensation portionswhich may passively or actively collect water and/or condition air(e.g., dehumidify, humidify, etc.) air used by the system. For example,in some embodiments the FC 1354 may include a heat pump, thermo-electricmodules, etc., which may condense ambient moisture (e.g., collect dew)from ambient air. The FC 1354 may then provide the collected water to areservoir of the system and/or to the grow portions 1304 (e.g., via, forexample, fluid distribution system 1305) under the control of thecontroller 1350. The FC 1354 may further include pumps such as fluidpumps, air pumps, and/or vacuum pumps which may be used to flow (e.g.,pressurize) a fluid, flow air (e.g., condensation air, etc.), and/orcreate vacuum as may be required by the system.

The UI 1360 may include any suitable user interface such as a user inputdevice (e.g., a touch screen display, a keyboard, a pointer, a mouse, amicrophone, etc.) and/or an output device such as a display, a speaker,etc. Accordingly, information may be rendered for the convenience of auser via the UI 1360 and may be received from a user via the UI 1360.Portions of the UI 1360 may be locally and/or remotely located relativeto each other. For example, a user may view system settings, currentstatus, and/or parameters (e.g., graphically and/or textually), via amobile station (MS) such as a smart phone (e.g., a Galaxy™, an iPhone™ aBlackberry™, etc.), a tablet (e.g., an iPad™, a Nexus™, etc.), a laptop,notebook, etc. Accordingly, for example, the controller 1350 maydetermine fluid flow rates and/or sensor information and display thisinformation on a display of the system such as on an iPhone™ of a user.

The fluid portion 1356 may include one or more fluid reservoirs for oneor more fluids such as mains water, well water, generated water (e.g.,received from the FC 1354), and additives (e.g., pesticides (by type),herbicides, etc.). The fluids may be directed to and/or contained inseparate storage reservoirs (e.g., pesticide A, pesticide B, . . .pesticide L, herbicide A, herbicide B, . . . , herbicide M, fertilizerA, fertilizer B, . . . , fertilizer N, etc. may be contained separatelyfrom each other) and/or may be mixed (e.g., using mixers of the fluidportion 1356) for storage with one or more other selected fluids (e.g.,water may be mixed with fertilizer A, etc.) under the control of thecontroller 1350 or a user.

The fluid portion 1356 may include sensors such as fluid level sensors,fluid pressure, fluid flow rate, fluid temperature, etc., which maysense corresponding information such as fluid levels, fluid pressures,fluid flow rates, viscosity, fluid temperatures, etc., respectively, andreport this information to the controller 1350. The controller 1350 mayprocess the sensor information and control on or more valves, mixers,heaters, coolers, etc., accordingly. For example, if the fluid pressureis determined to be below a threshold value, the controller may beoperative to activate a fluid pump to increase pressure or may beoperative to open a valve further to decrease parasitic flow losses,etc.

When growing different types of plants (e.g., Azaleas, Daffodils, etc.(e.g., types may be defined by name, species, subspecies, etc. as may beset by the system and/or user)) using the same or different substrates,it may be desirable to match fluids delivered (e.g., differentfertilizers, additives, etc.) to each of the grow portions 1304 (e.g.,by needs of the plants 1301 of the grow portion 1304) (via, for example,the flow manifold 1306-x) to enhance growth of the plant(s) 1301 in acorresponding grow portion 1304. Accordingly, the controller 1350 maystore and/or obtain fluid type information (FTI) for each fluid in eachof the one or more fluid reservoirs (dry fluid reservoirs which maystore powder such as powder fertilizer) and may obtain grow information(GI) for each grow portion 1304. The FTI may be obtained from a memoryof the system such as the memory 1352, by scanning RFID tag of aproduct, and/or from an external resource such as a third-party resource(e.g., a manufacture's website, etc.). For example, a FTI of an additivemay be obtained from a material data sheet (MDS) of the additive (e.g.,see, MDS for Scotts™ fertilizer) obtained via the manufacturer'swebsite. The controller may contextually analyze the MDS (e.g., usingany suitable method such as a context application) and may filterdesired information (e.g., “fertilizer analysis 32-0-4”) from extraneousinformation by application. The FTI may include information as may beincluded in a MDS (e.g., product datasheet) for a corresponding fluid(e.g., an additive such as a fertilizer, a pesticide, a herbicide, afungicide, growth enhancer, etc.). The system may obtain FTI using anysuitable method such as by scanning an SKU or RFID tag of a product andobtaining corresponding information from a memory of the system such asthe memory 1352 or from a third-party resource (e.g., a manufacturer'sdatabase or website) via the network 1362. Similarly, the GI may beobtained from a memory of the system such as the memory 1352, from an IDof a corresponding substrate 1302 (e.g., a substrate may include an IDwhich may be used to identify the substrate and/or GI of grow portionsincluded with the substrate), from an ID of a grow portion 1304 (e.g., agrow portion a use may associate with a substrate), from a user input,and/or from an external resource such as a third-party resource (e.g., amanufacture's website, etc.). The controller 1352 may refer to the GI todetermine characteristics of particular grow portion 1352 (e.g., soilmoisture should be maintained between X and Y %, PH of soil PH should bebetween L and M %, etc.) and may be operative to provide correspondingfluids to maintain the desired values or range of values.

Thus, the controller 1350 may be configured to determine a type of plant(e.g., as may be entered by user “Azaleas,” “Straw Grass,” “Orchids,”etc.), and/or GI for a particular grow portion 1304, obtain sensorinformation (e.g., current moisture level, current soil PH, currentlighting, etc.), compare the sensor information to correspondingthresholds (e.g., as may be set forth in the GI) and determine actionsin accordance with the results of the comparison (e.g., provide water,decrease PH, increase PH, activate artificial lighting, etc.), and maybe operative to perform these actions by controlling portions of thepresent system (e.g., by activating valves, pumps to supply water,selected additives, activating lighting, etc.). With regard to theadditives, additives such as fertilizer may include different FTI. Forexample, a first fertilizer (e.g., in a first fertilizer reservoir) mayinclude a high nitrogen fertilizer while an other fertilizer (e.g., inan other fertilizer reservoir) may include a high calcium fertilizer.Accordingly, the controller 1350 may distinguish between these fluids(e.g., based upon the FTI) of a fluid and may provide them by matchingthe FTI of a fluid to needs of a plant 1301 or grow portion 1304 as maybe set forth in the GI. When multiple flow manifolds 1306 are provided,the controller 1350 may determine grow portions 1304 and associated flowmanifolds 1306 or vice versa. The fluid portion 1356 may include pumps,valves, and/or mixers operating under the control of the controller 1350and which may distribute and/or mix the fluids, if desired. Further, thesystem may include matching additives and grow portions (e.g., plants ingrow portions). Moreover, the system may include one or more energystorage devices such as batteries, capacitors, fuels, etc. to supplypower to one or more portions of the system for an intended use.Moreover, the system may include an energy refilling portion (e.g.,solar cells, etc.) to recharge the energy storage devices. Further, thesystem may determine energy use rates (e.g., rate of depletion) inaccordance with available energy.

The fluid portion 1356 may include one or more fluid inputs (e.g., see,In) to receive fluids (e.g., mains water, well water, additives, etc.)for storage and/or output to, for example, the valve portion 1358. Thefluids may be contained locally and/or remotely from each other. Forexample, one or more fluid reservoirs may be remotely located. Further,the fluid portion 1358 may include mixers to mix powders (e.g., drypowder additives such as fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide, fungicide,etc.) with the other powders and/or fluids (e.g., water) and may store(e.g., in a reservoir of the system) and/or distribute the resultingmixture.

The valve portion 1358 may include one or more valves operative underthe control of the controller 1350 and may selectively distribute fluidsinput thereto to one or more flow manifolds 1306-x for distribution tocorresponding grow portions 1304. The valve portion 1358 may include oneor more fluid inputs such as inputs from the valve portion 1358 and/orexternal inputs. For example, external inputs may be coupled to mainswater, etc. The valve portion 1358 may include sensors such as fluidlevel sensors, fluid pressure, fluid flow rate, fluid temperature, etc.,which may sense corresponding information such as fluid levels, fluidpressures, fluid flow rates, fluid temperatures, etc., respectively, andreport this information to the controller 1350. The controller 1350 mayprocess the sensor information and control on or more valves, mixers,heaters, coolers, etc., accordingly. The valve portion 1358 may beconfigured to mix fluids input thereto and output the mixed fluid to oneor more flow manifolds 1306-x under the control of the controller 1350.For example, the valve portion 1358 may receive water from a first inputand an additive such as fertilizer from a second input and may controlits valves to mix the water and additives to achieve a desiredwater-to-additive ratio under the control of the controller 1350.

A coupler 1360 may couple the control portion 1348 and/or portionsthereof, to one or more of the sensors 1326, the substrate 1302, and theflow manifolds 1306-x, or portions thereof. The coupler 1360 may includea matching interfaces (e.g., a quick connect coupler for coupling eachof the sensors 1326, the substrate 1302, and the flow manifolds 1306-xto the control portion 1348 in a single step or may include a pluralityof interfaces for coupling one or more of the sensors 1326, thesubstrate 1302, and the flow manifolds 1306-x to the control portion1348 separately using a plurality of steps. The coupler may be used tocouple portions of embodiments of the present system so as to form amodular system which may be scaled.

The system may further include one or more product IDs (PIDs) associatedwith one or more of the substrate, the grow portions, the coupler, thefluid coupler, the fluid distribution system, the sensors, thereservoirs, the memory, the actuators, the mixers, the valve portions,the fluid containers, the powder containers (e.g., RFID tag infertilizer powder), the TEM (or water condensation portions), etc. orportions thereof. The PID may be used to identify a correspondingportion and may be read by the controller using any suitablecommunication method such as a wired or wireless (e.g., RFID, etc.)communication methods. For example, in some embodiments, the substratemay include a PID which may be read by the controller. The PID mayinclude a code be assigned, for example, by a manufacturer. The PID codemay be a proprietary code and/or may be used to identify a portion ofthe system. Further, the PID may information such as one or more ofmanufacturer assigned information, manufacturer, product information,product name (e.g., brand and/or generic), product settings, productparameters, production dates, expiration dates, etc. or associatedinformation. The controller may store PIDs and/or associated information(e.g., date or date range of use, expiration date, associated components(e.g., substrate ID with corresponding grow portion IDs, etc.) in amemory of the system for later use. The controller may poll for unit IDsat certain times such as at random times, at scheduled day(s) date(s)and/or time(s), upon sensing that a portion has been removed and/orreplaced, at startup or powering up, before or when performing certainprocesses (e.g., before applying additives, the IDs of the additives arechecked), etc. The controller may poll to read all PIDs associated witha system (e.g., a system installed by a user, an operating system,etc.).

After reading a PID, the controller 1350 may determine whether the PIDis recognized. Accordingly, if it is determined that the PID is arecognized, the controller 1350 may be operative to control the systemto operate (e.g., grow plants, seedling, etc. as described elsewhere).However, if it is determined that the PID is not recognized (or notread), the controller may restrict functionality of the system orportions thereof. For example, the controller may restrict a portionincluding the not-recognized PID. For example, if it is determined thata PID of a fertilizer reservoir added to the system is not a recognized,the controller may restrict a fertilization function and restrictdistribution of fertilizer to the grow portion(s). Accordingly, thecontroller may restrict functionality of the additive functions, etc.when it is determined that a PID is not read and/or recognized.Similarly, if it is determined that a PID of a grow portion is not arecognized, the controller may restrict operations such as wateringand/or fertilizing of the corresponding grow portions.

To determine whether a PID is recognized, the controller may compare aPID with registered IDs which may be obtained from a memory of thesystem. If it is determined that a PID corresponds with a registered ID(e.g., matches a registered ID), the controller may determine that thePID is recognized. However, if it is determined that the PID does notcorrespond with a registered ID, the controller may determine that thePID is not recognized. Further, the controller may determine whetherportions of the present system are compatible with each other. Forexample, when building a modular system, a user may couple a controlportion to an additive portion, a substrate portion including growportions, etc.

Moreover, in certain embodiments of the present system, the controllermay track a time of use (TOU) of a portion of the system. For example, asubstrate may have TOU threshold value of 180 days. After initiallydetecting the substrate via recognition of its PID and determining itsTOU threshold value, the controller may start a TOU count at 1 and mayincrement the TOU count every 24 hours (e.g., one day). Then, atscheduled intervals such as once a day, at certain days, dates, times,every 24 hours, etc., the controller may determine whether the TOU countis greater than the threshold TOU. Accordingly, if it is determined thatthe TOU count is greater than the threshold TOU, the controller mayrestrict functionality of the system. However, if it is determined thatthe TOU count less than or equal to the threshold TOU, the controllermay operate regularly (e.g., without restriction due to exceeding theTOU threshold (absent restrictions)). Thus, portions of the system mayhave a predetermined time-of-use.

Further, systems in accordance with embodiments of the present systemmay store detected PIDs used in a memory of the system. Each time a PIDis detected to have been changed for a given portion (e.g., as mayhappen when a substrate is switched with another substrate), the systemmay compare the current PID with previously detected PIDs stored (e.g.,used PIDs) in a memory of the system, and determine whether the currentPID matches a previously detected PID. Accordingly, if it is determinedthat the current PID matches a previously detected PID, the controllermay enter a restricted mode in which it may restrict operative featuresof the system in accordance with system settings. However, if it isdetermined that the current PID does not match a previously detected PID(e.g., a previously used PID), the controller may operate in a normalmode (e.g., without any restriction). This may prevent unauthorizedrefilling and/or recycling of portions of the system such as growportions (e.g., by refilling with seeds and/or organic matter, etc.),substrates, etc. Further, the system may include a function to enter anauthorization code to change a PID and/or to provide an override toallow a PID to reused two or more times, if desired. Thus, a user mayrefill grow portions and enter a new PID and/or a PID override code(e.g., to reuse PIDs), if desired, and the system may continueunrestricted operation, if desired.

Thus, portions of the system may have a preset use time (e.g.time-of-use or duration-of-use) or number of uses (e.g., 1 refill, 2refills, etc.), and upon detecting that the preset use time or number ofuses has exceeded corresponding thresholds (e.g., 180 days or one use),the system may enter a restricted mode in which it may restrictfunctionality of the system in accordance with corresponding restrictedmode settings as may be stored in a memory of the system. Theserestricted mode settings may be set by, for example, the manufacturer,an installer, etc. and may be protected from access by certain users.Thus, for example, operation of the system with full functionality withunauthorized portions or refurbished portions may be prevented orrestricted.

The controller may render results of one or more determinations of thesystem on a UI (e.g., a display, etc.) of the system for the convenienceof the user. For example, the controller may render a determination suchas “unregistered PID for substrate, system operation restricted, pleasereplace substrate with XYZ brand substrate.” or “substrate usage exceedsthreshold, please replace,” or “fertilizer 1 not recognized, pleasereplace with XYZ brand fertilizer to maintain full operation of thesystem.”).

In yet other embodiments, the controller may check a PID of a firstportion (e.g., an additive portion) are compatible with a PID of anotherportion (e.g., a grow portion), and restrict operations of portionswhich are determined to be incompatible with each other. The system maystore compatibility information in a memory of the system and may referto the compatibility information to determine whether portions arecompatible.

Further, embodiments of the present system may include one or morelocators to determine a location and/or orientation of portions such assubstrates, grow portions, etc. The locator may include any suitablelocator such as a global positioning system (GPS), an assisted GPS(A-GPS), a triangulation system, an orientation sensor (e.g., a magneticorientation sensor, an accelerometer, etc.), accelerometers, etc. Theposition orientation information may be processed by the system todetermine position of, for example, a substrate, and store thisinformation in memory of the system for later use. This may be desirablefor experimental crops.

FIG. 14 is a partial cutaway perspective view illustration of a portionof a system 1400 having a uniform growing area 1404 in accordance withembodiments of the present system. The system 1400 illustrates asubstrate 1402 including a plurality of layers such as one or more of abase layer 1470, blocking layers 1474, a flow manifold 1406, a sensorlayer 1422, a wicking layer 1476, a grow layer 1478, and an upper layer1472. One or more of these layers may include one or more materials thatare similar to, or different from, one or more materials of an otherlayer or layers. Further, one or more of the layers may be compostable.For example, the base layer 1470 and 1476 may be formed from a materialsuch as a fabric (e.g., burlap, etc.), paper, etc., that may wick waterand may provide support to the substrate 1402. The flow manifold 1406may be part of a fluid distribution system 1405 and may include one ormore openings such as orifices 1410. The orifices 1410 may includeopenings which are shaped and/or sized so that a desired amount of fluid(e.g., water, additives, etc.) may pass therethrough and may be absorbedby other layers such as one or more of the wicking layers, and/or a seedlayer. The size and/or location of the orifices 1410 may further bedetermined in accordance with an expected orientation of the substrate1402. The orifices 1410 may have different sizes so that fluid may bedistributed evenly, if desired. The sensor layer 1422 may include wiringand/or one or more sensors which may senses conditions of the grow layer1478 such as moisture, acidity (PH), temperature, etc. The sensors maybe distributed along the sensor layer and/or may attached to wiring ofthe sensor layer 1422. The sensors may be coupled to a controller of thesystem using any suitable communication methods such as wired and/orwireless communication methods. Further, if wireless communicationmethods are used, the sensors may be located at one or more discretelocations upon, for example, the base layer 1470.

To promote evenness of the substrate 1402, the substrate 1402 mayinclude one or more blocking layers such as blocking layers 1474. In thepresent embodiment, the blocking layers 1474 may be situated between thebase layer 1470 and the wicking layer 1476 and on the sides of one ormore of the flow manifold 1406 and the 1422 sensor layer so as to fillin uneven areas between the base layer 1470 and the wicking layer 1476.Evenness of the substrate 1402 may be desirable when the substrate 1402is rolled and/or folded upon itself.

The grow layer 1478 may include a seed mix (e.g. grass seed) and/or astarter composition such as soil (e.g., starter soil, etc.), compost,paper, a binder, etc.

The upper layer 1472 may include a protective layer such as a binderlayer, a plastic layer, a compostable layer, etc., which may protect theseeds of the grow layer 1478 during deposit and/or initial growth. Forexample, the upper layer 1472 may protect the seeds of the grow layer1478 from being washed away by rain, eaten by animals (e.g., birdsand/or vermin), etc. The upper layer 1472 may include a compostableprotective layer such as a binder which may degrade with exposure to oneor more of water, sunlight, etc. However, it is also envisioned that theupper layer 1472 may include a plastic layer which may be removed (e.g.,peeled off) by a user. Further, the upper layer 1472 may include aninsulation layer which may protect the seeds and/or plants of the growlayer 1478 during seeding and/or initial growth. For example, the upperlayer 1472 may include a plastic layer such as a foam layer.

Although several layers are shown, in yet other embodiments, a flowmanifold and seeds are directly attached to a wicking layer. The wickinglayer may be placed directly upon a desired surface such as a soilsurface of an area to be planted (e.g., a landscape area).

Further, the substrate 1402 may include cuts, scores, folded areas, etc.configured so that the substrate 1402 may be applied easily anduniformly to uneven surfaces such as uneven terrain.

The system 1400 is suitable for uniformly growing small seeds such asgrass and the like. For example, the system 1400 is suitable for growingplants in difficult areas such as landscaped hills on the side ofhighways and the like. Accordingly, the substrate 1402 may be easilyapplied and configured to grow plants such as grass, etc., in theseareas and others such as home lawns, etc.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view illustration of a portion of thesystem 1400 taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14 in accordance withembodiments of the present system. One or more portions of the substrate1402 may be attached to each other using any suitable method or methods(e.g., adhesives, sewing, etc.) However, the methods used should becompatible with the materials being bonded.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view illustration of a system 1600 inaccordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 1600 issimilar to the system 1400 and includes a substrate 1601 including oneor more of a wicking layer 1602, a flow manifold 1606, and a grow layer1604. However, the substrate 1606 includes a single wicking layer 1602.The flow manifold is 1606 is similar to the flow manifold 1406 and isattached to the substrate 1602 using any suitable methods. The growlayer 1604 is attached to the wicking layer 1602 using any suitablemethod (e.g., adhesives, binders, etc.). For example, the seeds may bemixed with a binder, adhesive, additive (e.g., fertilizer), and/orbiological material (e.g., soil, compostable material, paper, mulch,etc.), etc. and coupled to the wicking layer 1602. Further, a protectivelayer may be situated upon the grow layer 1604 to protect the seeds(e.g., from birds, etc.).

The substrate may include a fluid distribution system (or portionsthereof) having one or more flow manifolds. The flow manifolds may beparallel or non-parallel to each other and/or may have any desired shape(e.g., may be straight, arced, extend helically, zigzag, etc.). Further,in some embodiments, the flow manifolds may extend radially away from acenter distributor which may provide the fluid to each flow manifold.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustration of a system 1700 inaccordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 1700includes one or more of a planter 1772, a control portion 1772, and asubstrate 1702. The control portion 1772 may include one or more of acontroller (e.g., a microprocessor, a logic device, etc.), a userinterface (UI), a liquid reservoir, and an energy device such as abattery, a capacity, mains power, and/or a solar cell such as solar cell1774. The substrate 1702 may include one or more of a substrate layer, afluid distribution system 1705, and grow portions 1704. The substrate1702 may be similar to grow portions described elsewhere and include adesired shape and/or size. For example, the substrate 1702 may have a 10inch diameter for 10 inch pots. A coupler 1778 may fluidly couple one ormore of the fluid distribution system 1705 to receive water from aliquid reservoir under the control of the controller. In someembodiments, the coupler 1778 may electronically couple portions coupledto the substrate 170 such as sensors, a memory (for reading ID), activeportions such as valve, pumps, etc. to the controller for electronicallytransmitting and/or receiving information to/from the controller.

The liquid reservoir may be located in the planter 1772 and may befilled via a filler opening or via an output of a condenser. Thecondenser may include any suitable condenser to condense water vapor inthe ambient air and may include a thermo electric cooler, a gas cooler,etc. The condenser may operate under the control of the controller andmay operate continuously, at a certain times (e.g., in accordance with aschedule, etc.), when sufficient power is available (e.g., whendetermining that there is sufficient solar power available), and/or whensufficient humidity is determined to be present (e.g., when thecontroller determines that the current humidity is greater than athreshold humidity). Water condensed by the condenser may output via acondenser output to the reservoir or may be provided to the one or moregrow portions 1704 under the control of the controller. The reservoirmay include a level sensor to sense a fluid level and may provide thisinformation to the controller. The controller may determine whether afluid level in the reservoir is greater than a full threshold value. Ifit is determined that reservoir level is greater than a threshold level,the controller may turn off a condensing operation of the condenser.However, if it is determined that reservoir level is less than or equalto the threshold level, the controller may turn on a condensingoperation of the condenser so as to collect more water. Further, thecontroller may determine whether the reservoir level is less than an lowthreshold level. Accordingly, if it is determined that the reservoirlevel is less than the low threshold level, the controller may render anindication of such on UI of the system (e.g., “refill reservoir”).

The controller may obtain information related to a type of plant (seedsor plant) in one or more of the grow portions via a user input (e.g.,user may enter plant type or select plant type via a UI of the systemsuch as a user entry device such as a keyboard, a touchpad, etc.) or viaelectronic identification of the substrate via a substrate ID.Accordingly, the substrate may include an identification tag such as anRFID tag which may transmit ID information to the controller. In someembodiments, the controller may use a default or predefined informationfor growing the plants. For example, in embodiments where two or moretypes of plants are located in the grow portions 1704, the controller orsystem may use a predefined information obtained from a memory of thesystem which may be suited for both types of plants or with a selectedpattern. The predefined information may include information related togrowing plants such as soil moisture ranges (e.g., soil moisture 10-20%,soil PH level, watering intervals (e.g., water every 48 hours)).

In use, a user may insert the substrate 1702 into a cavity 1776 of theplanter 1772 such that the substrate 1702 lies upon soil 1780 of theplanter 1772. The substrate 1702 may then be electronically and/orfluidly coupled to the planter 1772 via the coupler 1778.

The controller may be configured to sense a moisture level in the soilwithin the planter 1772 and provide liquid such as water to the plant(s)within the planter accordingly so that one or more predefined moisturelevels are maintained. However, in yet other embodiments the controllermay be configured to provide liquid such as water in accordance with aflow amount (e.g., apply 16 ounces water every 24 hours) and/or flowtimes (e.g., 2 minutes flow every 24 hours, 3 minutes flow every threehours, 10 minutes flow at 2.00 am, 4:00 am 7:00 pm, etc.). Thecontroller may refer to a watering table for watering information andmay provide water in accordance with the watering information. Thewatering information may include default watering information and/or maybe defined for one or more plant types.

In yet other embodiments the planter 1772 includes sensors and/or afluid deliver system.

Thus, the present system may provide a planter 1700 which may provideliquid such as water and/or additives (e.g. fertilizer, etc.) to one ormore plants growing in the planter 1700. The planter m1700 may operateindependent of a mains power and/or a mains water supplies. Further, theplanter 1700 may operate without the need for a user to provide water tothe planter 1700.

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view illustration of a portion of a system600 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system1800 is similar to system 600 shown in FIG. 6 and includes a substrate1802 grow portions 1804, and a fluid distribution system 1805. The fluiddistribution system 1805 includes a flow manifold 1806, one or morerunners 1808, and flow valves which may provide liquid such as water tothe grow portions 1804. The substrate 1802 is rolled into a roll 1801for compact form. However, in yet other embodiments, the substrate 1802may be folded in one or more locations. In use, the substrate 1802 maybe unrolled and/or applied to a desired area. The substrate 1802 may becoupled to a controller and to fluid sources. Accordingly, thecontroller 1802 may be operative to control the fluid source to provideliquids to fluid distribution system 1805, and, thus, the grow portions1804 as described elsewhere. Further, the controller may obtain sensorinformation from sensors 1826 via, for example, control lines 1822.However, in yet other embodiments it is envisioned that the sensors maycommunicate with the controller via wireless methods. Further, althoughsensors 1826 are shown associated with corresponding grow portions 1804,in some embodiments, only a single sensor 1826 may be provided forseveral portions 1804. Further, although only a substrate 1802 having asingle row of grow portions 1804 is shown, additionally substrates(e.g., similar to substrate 1802) may be coupled to and/or located atsides 1891 and 1893 of the substrate 1804. Thus, for example, in someembodiments a substrate may include 10 rows of grow portions 1804 and/orcorresponding fluid delivery systems 1805. Further, the fluiddistribution system 1805 may include couplers to couple the flowmanifolds (or other portions of the fluid distribution system 1805) ofseveral substrates 1802-x together. Further, portions of the system 1800may be offset so that adjacent portions do not substantially overlapwith each other when the substrate 1802 forms the roll 1801. Forexample, in some embodiments, the flow manifold 1806 may configured toform at least part of a helix when the substrate 1802 forms a roll 1801so that the substrate 1801 is more compact. Accordingly, the flowmanifold may be configured to be offset relative to one or more sides oredges of the substrate 1802 along a longitudinal distance of the flowmanifold 1806. Thus, for example, a distance Da may be greater than orless than Db. Accordingly, when the substrate 1802 is rolled over itself(e.g., coiled), at least some portions of the flow manifold 1806 may notsuperpose other portions of the flow manifold 1806. This may preventblocking (in thickness) due to the flow manifold 1806 and may result ina more compact roll 1801. This may be similar to thread of thread whichis coiled about a spool and is spread about an axial axis of the spool.In yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that the grow portions 1804may be offset along the substrate 1802 so as to reduce a thickness ofthe roll 1801, if desired. It is further envisioned that blockingportions (e.g., having a desired thickness) may be situated in variouslocations of the substrate such as about the growth portions, alonglongitudinally along the sides, transversely, etc., so as to even athickness of the roll 1801 (or portions thereof) and/or reduce oreliminate pressure upon the grow portions (and/or plants of seedswithin). For example, the blocking members may include portions of foam,etc., which may be removed after transportation and/or installation ofthe substrate 1802, if desired.

Further, couplings for the fluid delivery system to couple to acontroller and/or liquid supply and/or for the sensors to couple to thecontroller may be located at ends and/or interior portions of thesubstrate 1802. However, in yet other embodiments, the couplers may belocated at other locations relative to the substrate 1802. Location maybe based upon a desired use and/or an existing configuration. Further,the substrate 1802 may include mechanical fasteners such ashook-and-loop-type fasteners (e.g., Velcro), hook-and-eyelet-typefasters, friction fasteners, etc. to couple other substrates and/oroptions (e.g., plant ID, fluid distribution systems or portionsthereof), covers (e.g., clear covers for protecting plants, etc.), asmay be desired by a user.

It is envisioned that in some embodiments, the substrate may includecouplings to couple (mechanically, fluidly, and/or electronically) thesubstrates to each other, control systems, and/or fluid distributionsystems or portions thereof.

FIG. 18B is a partially cutaway top perspective view illustration of aportion of a system 1800B in accordance with embodiments of the presentsystem. The system 1800B is similar to the system 1800 shown in FIG. 18and includes a substrate 1802B grow portions 1804B, and a fluiddistribution system 1805B. The fluid distribution system 1805B includesa flow manifold 1806B having one or more openings 1808B fluidly coupledto the flow manifold 1806B. Each flow manifold may further include onemore fluid flow controls 1809B such as emitters and/or drippers (e.g.,such as a Netafim™ brand emitter and/or dripper, etc.) fluidly coupledthereto to control the flow of the fluid (e.g., flow rate, flowvelocity, etc.) to pass through the one or more openings 1808B from thefrom the flow manifold 1806B. Accordingly, the fluid flow controls 1809Bmay be fluidly coupled to the flow manifold 1806B and, for example, maybe located with an internal cavity of the flow manifold 1806B. However,in yet other embodiments, the fluid flow controls 1809B may be locatedat least partially external of the flow manifold 1806B. The flowcontrols 1809B may be selected based upon, for example, desired fluidflow rates, flow pressure, water quality, etc. For example, in systemswhere poor water quality is expected, the flow controls 1809B may beselected such that they do not easily clog.

The substrate 1802B may be coupled to a controller and/or to fluidsources. Accordingly, the controller 1802 may be operative to controlthe fluid source to provide liquids to fluid distribution system 1805B,and, thus, the grow portions 1804B as described elsewhere. Further, thecontroller may obtain sensor information from one or more sensors 1826Bvia, using wireless and/or wired methods. The one or more sensor 1826Bmay form at least pert of the sensor array and/or network. Further,although sensors 1826B are shown associated with corresponding growportions 1804B, in some embodiments, only a single sensor 1826B may beprovided for several portions 1804. Further, although only a substrate1802B having a single row of grow portions 1804B is shown, additionallysubstrates (e.g., similar to substrate 1802) may be coupled to and/orlocated at sides 1891B and 1893B of the substrate 1804B. Thus, forexample, in some embodiments a substrate may include 10 rows of growportions 1804B and/or corresponding fluid delivery systems 1805B.Further, the fluid distribution system 1805B may include couplers tocouple the flow manifolds (or other portions of the fluid distributionsystem 1805B) of several substrates 1802B-x together.

FIG. 18C is a partially cutaway top perspective view illustration of aportion of a system 1800C in accordance with embodiments of the presentsystem. The system 1800C is similar to the system 1800B shown in FIG.18B and includes a substrate 1802C, grow portions 1804C, and a fluiddistribution system 1805C. However, the substrate 1802C may bediscontinuous and may include a plurality substrate portions 1802C-1through 1802C-N (generally 1802C-x) each coupled each other using acoupler such as straps, a flow manifold 1806C, etc. Accordingly, each ofthe plurality of substrate portions 1802C-x may be coupled to the flowmanifold 1806C using any suitable method (e.g., adhesives, pressurebonding, straps, welds, stitches, rivets, screwable (e.g., threaded)mounts, friction fits, loops, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.). The fluiddistribution system 1805C may include a flow manifold 1806C having oneor more openings 1808C fluidly coupled to the flow manifold 1806C. Eachflow manifold 1806C may further include one more fluid flow controls1809C such as emitters and/or drippers (e.g., such as a Netafim™ brandemitter and/or dripper, etc.) fluidly coupled thereto to control theflow of the fluid (e.g., flow rate, flow velocity, etc.) to pass throughthe one or more openings 1808C from the flow manifold 1806C.Accordingly, the fluid flow controls 1809C may be fluidly coupled to theflow manifold 1806C and, for example, may be located with an internalcavity or cavities of the flow manifold 1806C. However, in yet otherembodiments, the fluid flow controls 1809C may be located at leastpartially external of the flow manifold 1806C. The substrate 1800C maybe rolled and/or folded similarly to the substrates 1800 and/or 1800B.The one or more of the plurality of substrate portions 1802C-x may beasymmetrically and/or symmetrically located and/or offset and/orcentered relative to one or more portions of the system 1800B such asthe flow manifold 1806C.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 1900in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 1900may include one or more of a substrate 1902, a fluid distribution system1905, and one or more grow portions 1904. The grow portions 1904 mayinclude one or more groups 1972-1 through 1972-N each including anarrangement of corresponding plant types. Each of the one or more groups1972-x may include one or more rows of plants of a corresponding type ortypes. The one or more groups 1972-x may be arranged in a desiredpattern such as a straight pattern or other patterns such as an “S”,“T”, “U” or other patterns as may be desired One or more sensors such assensors 1926 may be provided to sense conditions such as growingconditions (e.g., soil moisture, acidity, etc.) in a corresponding growportion or portions 1904 and may provide corresponding sensorinformation to a controller of the system via, for example, bus 1922.However, in yet other embodiments, sensors may be provided in otherlocations and/or may sense other conditions such as substrate moisturelevel (away from a grow portion), substrate temperature, PID, etc. Insome embodiments, a wireless transmission method may be provided totransmit information between the sensors and/or controller such assensor information, etc. The fluid distribution system 1905 may includeone or more flow manifolds such as flow manifolds 1906-1-1906-N(generally 1906-x) each of which may provide fluids to the grow portions1904. The flow manifolds 1906-1-1906-N may be arranged to provide fluidsto corresponding groups of grow portions 1904 such as the grow portions1904 of the one or more groups 1972-1 through 1972-N, respectively.Thus, to conserve water, the controller may activate valves to certainflow manifolds 1906-x independently of the others. Accordingly, thecontroller may be operative to activate valves and/or pumps of thesystem so as to provide fluids via corresponding flow manifolds 1906-xto only certain groups 1972-x of the one or more groups 1972-x (of growportions 1904) served by the corresponding flow manifolds 1906-x onmoisture need basis as may be determined in accordance with sensorinformation (e.g., soils moisture information) provided by correspondingsensors 1926 and/or in accordance with watering tables stored in amemory of the system. This may conserve water. The watering tables mayinclude information such as watering times (e.g., watering start and/orstop times e.g., 8:00 pm through 8:10 pm, watering days, dates, etc.(e.g., every day), etc.), watering periods (e.g., water for two minutesevery 5½ hours). The system may further include rain sensors which mayprovide corresponding information. Accordingly, when sensing rain, thesystem may determine to suspend watering operations. In yet otherembodiments, it is envisioned that a single flow manifold may providefluids to one or more of the grow portions. On or more attachmentportions such as grommet 1970 may be located, at one or more locationsof the system 1900 such as the substrate 1974. Each of the flowmanifolds 1906-x may be coupled to a coupler 1970 which may fluidlycouple the corresponding flow manifold 1906-x to a corresponding fluidsupply (e.g., which may provide fluid to the corresponding manifoldunder the control of the controller) and/or to another flow manifold offor example, the same or an other substrate. The coupler 1970 mayfurther include electronic connections to electronically couple the bus1922 to, for example, the controller directly or via one or more otherbuses. The coupler 1970 may be matched to another desired coupler. Forexample, the coupler 1970 may include one or more female connectionswhile another coupler to coupled thereto may include corresponding maleconnections. Further, the couplers may be held in location relative toeach other using any suitable method such as a friction fit, latches,clamps, screwable connections, adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.Accordingly, a user may attach the coupler 1970 to anther coupler in asingle step, if desired. This may decrease installation time. Withregard to the grow portions 1904, the grow portions may be provided withseeds and/or plants of different types. For example, for a certainhome-garden arrangement the grow portions 1904 included in group 1972-1may include cherry tomato plants (e.g., Mexican Midgets), the growportions 1904 included in group 1972-2 may include a sweet red pepperplants, the grow portions 1904 included in group 1972-3 may includecucumbers, and the grow portions 1904 included in group 1972-N mayinclude radishes. In yet another home-garden arrangement, the growportions 1904 included in group 1972-1 may include beefsteak tomatoplants, the grow portions 1904 included in group 1972-2 may include acucumbers, the grow portions 1904 included in group 1972-3 may includeradishes, and the grow portions 1904 included in group 1972-N mayinclude field greens. Thus, a user may select a desired garden mix, ifdesired. However, in yet other embodiments, the grow portions of thesystem may include a single type of plant type. In yet otherembodiments, a flow arrangement may be provided. For example, the Forexample, for a certain home flow-garden arrangement, the grow portions1904 included in group 1972-1 may include of a first type of flowingplant (e.g., the grow portions 1904 included in group 1972-2 may includea second type of flowering plant, the grow portions 1904 included ingroup 1972-3 may include a third type of flowering plant, and the growportions 1904 included in group 1972-N may include an Nth type offlowering plant. Accordingly, the substrate may include various planttypes and/or arrangements.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 2000in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 2000may include one or more of one or more substrates 2002-1 through 2002-M(generally 2002-x), a fluid distribution system 2005, and a controlportion 2048. The one or more substrates 2002-1 through 2002-M mayinclude one or more flow manifolds 2006-1 through 2006-M (generally2006-x), respectively, and one or more grow portions 2004. Accordingly,the flow manifolds 2006-x may provide fluid such as water to thecorresponding grow portions 2004. The fluid distribution system 2005 mayinclude the flow manifolds 2006-x which may be fluidly coupled to eachother and/or to the control portion 2048 so as to receive fluidtherefrom. The control portion 2048 may include a controller 2050 and/orone or more valves 2058 controlled by the controller 2050 and which mayprovide fluid to one or more of the flow manifolds 2006-x under thecontrol of the controller 2050. The controller 2050 may include amicroprocessor, a logic device, a timer, etc., which may determine toactivate the one or more valves 2058 so as to provide a flow of fluid tothe flow manifolds 2006-x fluidly coupled thereto. Sensors such as soilmoisture sensors, temperature sensors, ambient air humidity sensors,etc., may be included and may provide corresponding sensor informationto the controller 2050 for further processing. Each of the substrates2002-x may have the same and/or different shapes and/or sizes from eachother. One or more of the substrates 2002-x may include a coupler 2070which may couple (e.g., mechanically, fluidly, optically, and/orelectronically) a corresponding substrate 2002-x to another substrate2002-x and/or to the control portion 2048. Accordingly, the coupler 2070s may include matching first and second couplers 2070-A and 2070-B,respectively, which may be coupled to each other using any suitablemethods. The couplers 2070 may, for example, include quick-connect typecouplers. A fluid input 2093 may provide fluid to the control portion2048 for distribution to flow manifolds 2006-x under controller of thecontroller 2048 and/or directly to one or more of the flow manifolds2006-x, if desired. It is further envisioned that in some embodiments,the control portion may be situated remotely, in whole or in part, fromthe substrates 2002-x.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process 2100 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present system. The process 2100 may beperformed using one or more computers communicating over a network. Theprocess 2100 can include one of more of the following acts. Further, oneor more of these acts may be combined and/or separated into sub-acts, ifdesired. In operation, the process may start during act 2101 and thenproceed to act 2103.

During act 2103, the process may obtain watering information. Thewatering information may be obtained from a memory of the system and mayinclude information related to watering, fertilization, heating, timesof application information, etc., of one or more grow portions or groupsof grow portions (e.g., a grow portion group) of the system. Further,the times of application information may include information related toa watering schedule (e.g., water twice daily at 2:00 pm). The groups ofgrow portions may include a plurality of grow portions which may includebe assigned together (e.g., by a user), include common plant types, beserved by the same flow manifold or manifolds, be included on the samesubstrate or substrates, etc. The watering information may includedefault watering information, watering information which may be storedin accordance with one or more substrates and/or grow portions of thesystem. For example, the process may include an act of obtainingsubstrate identification (SID) of a substrate of the system. Then, theprocess may obtain corresponding watering information for thecorresponding SID. Thus, for example, if an SID is identified as SID #5,the process may obtain watering information corresponding to the SID #5from a memory of the system. Accordingly, the memory may store wateringinformation for a plurality of SIDs in a suitable format such as a tableformat in a memory of the system. With regard to the wateringinformation, it may include various thresholds such as a soil moisturethreshold (SMTs), fertilization thresholds, etc., for one or more SIDsor portions thereof (e.g., grow portions). Thus, for example, if asubstrate includes two different types of plants in corresponding growportions, the process may obtain SMTs corresponding to the growportions. Further, the process may refer to a fluid map which may mapgrow portions to corresponding flow manifolds. Thus, for example, theprocess may determine that a certain grow portion which is to be wateredis supplied with fluids by a first flow manifold of a plurality of flowmanifolds. Accordingly, the process may supply the first flow manifoldwith fluids for the corresponding grow portion or grow portions. In someembodiments, the watering information may store watering thresholds,scheduled times, etc., in accordance with information related to a planttype (e.g., petunia). The watering information may further includescheduled times and/or duration (e.g., 6:00 am, 10:00 pm, 2 minutesduration, etc.). A method to obtain the watering information may be setand/or reset by a user and/or the system and may be stored in a memoryof the system. After completing act 2103, the process may continue toact 2105.

During act 2105, the process may determine whether the current timecorresponds with a scheduled time. Accordingly, the process may comparethe current time (e.g., obtained from a clock of the system) and thescheduled time (e.g., obtained from the watering information) and if itis determined that the current time (6:00 am) corresponds with (orsubstantially corresponds with) the scheduled time (6:00 am), theprocess may continue to act 2107. However, if the process determinesthat the current time does not correspond with the scheduled time, theprocess may repeat act 2105. The scheduled time may be adjusted by thesystem and/or user and/or may be based upon watering history. Forexample, the process may set the scheduled time such that fluids areapplied every other day. Thus, the process may obtain the wateringhistory and set the scheduled time accordingly. Further, the process mayinclude a scheduling application such as a third-party schedulingapplication to determine whether the current time corresponds with ascheduled time.

During act 2107, the process may obtain sensor information from one ormore sensors of the system such as soil moisture sensors. The processmay obtain the sensor information using any suitable method. Forexample, in some embodiments the process may rely upon a query/responsemethod (e.g., single cast, unicast, broadcast, multicast, etc.) toobtain the sensor information. However, in yet other embodiments, thesensors may transmit sensor information to the controller at certaintimes (e.g., randomly, at certain times (e.g., once an hour, etc.). Inyet other embodiments, the controller may merely sample a sensor bus toobtain the sensor information. The methods used to obtain the sensorinformation may be dependent upon the system configuration and will norbe discussed further for the sake of clarity. After obtaining the sensorinformation, the process may continue to act 2109.

During act 2109, the process may compare the soil moisture valueobtained from the sensor information with a moisture threshold value.Accordingly, if the soil moisture value is determined to be less than orequal to the moisture threshold value, the process may continue to act2111. However, if the soil moisture value is determined to be greaterthan the moisture threshold value, the process may continue to act 2121.The process may determine the soil moisture value in accordance withsensor information obtained from one or more soil moisture sensors.Further, the process may average soil moisture values when obtained froma plurality of sensors or may isolate certain soil moisture values suchas the lowest soils moisture value, etc. Further, the process may repeatact 2109 for each sensor. The moisture threshold value may be obtainedfrom the watering information and may be mapped to a correspondingsensor. Accordingly, when the process performs act 2109, the process maycompare the moisture threshold for the corresponding sensor.

During act 2111, the process may activate fluid functions so as tosupply fluid (e.g., water and/or fertilizer (nutrients)) to the growportions via the flow manifold for the corresponding sensors.Accordingly, the system may activate valves, pumps, relays, solenoids,pressure regulators, etc., as may be desired so as to control to fluidpressure, fluid volume, fluid velocity, etc., so as to supply the fluid.The fertilizer may be supplied at a default rate (e.g., per volumefluid) and/for in accordance with a fertilizer information (e.g., 2 oz,fertilizer for every 10 gallons of water, etc.). Further, the processmay determine which flow manifolds correspond with which sensors (e.g.,sensors may be mapped to flow manifolds) and may activate the fluidfunctions accordingly (e.g., may activate valves to supply thefluid(s)). Thus, based upon results of act 2109, the process may supplyflow manifolds of a corresponding sensor. This may conserve water asflow manifolds mapped to sensors which had an associated soil moisturevalue(s) which were determined to be greater than the moisture thresholdvalue may not be provided with fluid, if desired. However, in yet otherembodiments, all flow manifolds may be provided with fluid. In yet otherembodiments, the flow manifolds may be simultaneously and/orsequentially provided with fluid, if desired. For example, the processmay provide fluid to flow manifolds sequentially so as to reduce a fluidflow rate. Further, when initially (e.g., for the current cycle)activating the fluid functions, the process may start (e.g., at 0)counting a counter to determine a (current) watering time (WT). Aftercompleting act 2111, the process may continue to act 2113.

During act 2113, the process may determine whether the (current) WT isgreater than or equal to a watering time threshold (WTT) (e.g., amaximum watering time for a corresponding area). Accordingly, if it isdetermined that the WT is greater than or equal to the WIT, the processmay continue to act 2119. However, if it is determined that the WTC isless than the WTT, the process may continue to act 2115. The WIT may beset by the system and/or user. For example, in some embodiments, the WITmay be set to a threshold time such as 15:00 minutes, etc. However,other times are also envisioned. However, in yet other embodiments theWTT may be determined in accordance with a WIT table which may includeWTTs associated with various sensor information such ambient temperaturevalues, ambient humidity values, soil moisture values, etc. For example,if the soil moisture value is determined to be less than a thresholdmoisture value, the WIT may be set to a default value (e.g., 5:00minutes). However, if the soil moisture is detected to be greater thanor equal to the threshold moisture value, the WIT may be set to 1:00minutes. In yet other embodiments, the WIT may be determined inaccordance with sensor information such as ambient temperature, ambienthumidity, soil moisture, etc. The WTT(s), watering time table, and/orwatering time functions may be stored in a memory of the system andobtained by the process when desired. The process may also meter thefluid flow (e.g., water, fertilizer, etc.) by integrating fluid flowover time and/or using one or more fluid flow meters (e.g., for one ormore fluids (e.g., mains water, fertilizer, etc.)).

During act 2115, the process may obtain sensor information. This act maybe similar to act 2115 and will not be discussed further for the sake ofclarity. After completing act 2115, the process may continue to act2117.

During act 2117, the process may compare the soil moisture valueobtained from the sensor information with a moisture threshold. This actmay be similar to act 2109. However, if the moisture value is determinedto be less than or equal to the moisture threshold, the process maycontinue to act 2119. Conversely, if the moisture value is determined tobe greater than the moisture threshold, the process may repeat act 2113.

During act 2119, the process may deactivate water functions which wereactivated during act 2111. Accordingly, the process may deactivate waterpumps and/or valves activated during act 2111. After completing act2119, the process may continue to act 2121 where the process may updatewatering history information and store the updated watering historyinformation in a memory of the system. The watering history informationgenerated during the process 2000. For example, the watering history mayinclude previous watering times (e.g., by day, date, etc.), total fluidflow (e.g., water used), nutrient application information (e.g., anamount of nutrients applied and dates of application), soil moisturevalues, etc. Thus, for example, if it is desired to apply nutrientsevery other day, the process may refer to the watering historyinformation to determine whether nutrients were applied during the pastday (24 hours or other time period as may be desired by the systemand/or user).

In some embodiments, fluid functions (e.g., a fluid supply operation)may be activated or initiated using, for example, a timer (e.g., by day,date, etc.) which may control one or more valve(s), pump(s), pressureregulators, etc. For example, each day at 2:00 pm fluid functions may beactivated for 3:00 minutes. The timer may be analog or digital and maybe programmed by the system and/or user.

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process 2200 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present system. The process 2200 may beperformed using one or more computers communicating over a network. Theprocess 2200 can include one of more of the following acts and/or may beinitiated at the start of a fluid supply operation such as a watering ornutrient supply operation. Further, one or more of these acts may becombined and/or separated into sub-acts, if desired. In operation, theprocess may start during act 2201 and then proceed to act 2203. In someembodiments, the process 2200 may be performed periodically and/ornon-periodically. Further, in some embodiments the process 2200 may beperformed when a fluid supply operation (e.g., a watering process is oris about to be initiated). In some embodiments, the process 2200 mayinterface with and/or control conventional plant watering systems so asto further conserve water. For example, in some embodiments, acontrollable valve (e.g., a solenoid controlled valve) may be placed sothat it serially coupled to a flow path (e.g., an input or output flowpath) of a conventional water timer valve. Then, this controllable valvemay be activated by the system to control a flow of the fluids to orfrom the water timer valve in accordance with one or more processes ofthe present system.

During act 2203, the process may obtain weather information from one ormore resources such as from one or more sensors of the system (e.g., abarometer (e.g., barometric pressure information)) and/or from thirdparty weather information sources (e.g., Accuweather™, the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA), etc. The weather information may beobtained via a network of the system (e.g., the Internet, etc.). As thesystem may be centrally controlled, it may obtain weather informationfor one or more locations (e.g., zones) controlled by the process. Thus,for example, a city (e.g., Anycity, USA) may include a centralcontroller which may control functions of the system (e.g., a fluidsupply operation, etc.) in one or more zones which may be locally and/orremotely located relative to each other. However, for the sake ofclarity, only operations for a single zone may be discussed unless thecontext indicates otherwise. The system may obtain weather informationfrom the weather source which may include expected weather (e.g., 90%chance of rain in Anycity during next 4 hours) and/or may determineexpected weather using information obtained from one or more sensors ofthe system (e.g., barometers, satellite information, radar information(e.g., including atmospheric condensation information, etc.), etc.).Thus, for example, the system may obtain radar information (e.g., aradar map of condensation in a certain are) and may predict whether itmay rain in a certain zone of Anycity (e.g., in the south west side ofthe city) within the next hour. However, for the sake of clarity, itwill be assumed that the weather information includes predicted weather(e.g., 100% chance of rain Anycity in the next hour) for the currentzone. The system may further include rainfall sensors which may detectactual rainfall in one or more locations and provide this information toa controller of the system. Further, the system may filter weatherinformation for one or times or time periods (e.g., currently (currenttime) to 12:00 pm, current time through the next 2 hours, 12:00 pm to8:00 pm today, etc.). The one or more times or time periods may beselected by the process (e.g., in accordance with a time table) and/oruser settings.

When obtaining weather information from multiple sources (e.g.,Accuweather™, NOAA, radar information, satellite information, etc.), thesystem may further assign weights to these different sources by, forexample expected accuracy and/or user settings. Then, the system mayfilter the weather information in accordance with weights. For example,radar (mapping) information may be assigned a higher weight thansatellite cloud cover information. Similarly, weather predictions fromthe NOAA may be assigned a higher weight than weather predictions fromAccuweather™ Thus, the system may use weather predictions (e.g., rainexpected between 6:00 through 4:00 pm today) included in the weatherinformation and/or may predict weather information using, for example,the weather information provided to the system such as, for example,radar information. The one or more time periods may be set in accordancewith desired watering times (e.g., every morning at 6:00 am) which maybe delayed and/or cancelled by operative acts of the present system.After obtaining the weather information, the system may continue act2205.

During act 2205, the process may determine whether rain is predicted(e.g., for the one or more time or time periods of act 2203 (e.g., nexttwo hours, between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm today, etc.)). Accordingly, ifthe process determines that rain is predicted, it may continue to act2207. However, it the process determines that rain is not predicted, itmay continue to act 2217. In yet other embodiments, rain predictionsmust be greater than a threshold value. For example, rain will beconsidered to be predicted only its chance (e.g., 70% chance of rain) isequal to or greater than a threshold value e.g., 70. Thus, if thepredicted chance of rain (e.g., 80% chance of rain) is equal to orgreater than the threshold value (70), the process will determine thatrain is predicted. However, if the change of rain (e.g., 60%) isdetermined to be less than the threshold value, the process maydetermine that rain is not predicted.

During act 2207, the process may control the fluid supply to wait for athreshold time interval. In the present embodiment, the threshold timeinterval may correspond with the one or more time or time periods of act2203. Thus, for example if rain is expected between 6:00 am and 4:00 pmtoday, the process may wait until the threshold time interval haselapsed (e.g., at 4:00 pm in the current embodiment). However, in yetother embodiments the threshold time interval may be set by the processand/or user (e.g., 30 minutes, 1:00 hours, 2:00 hours, etc.).

This wait may provide time for the expected rainfall to arrive (e.g.,pending rainfall between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm today). After the thresholdtime interval has elapsed, the process may continue to act 2209.

During act 2209, the process may determine whether rain it rained (e.g.,rain received). Accordingly, the process may obtain information fromsensors of the system (e.g., rain sensors, moisture sensors, etc. withinthe current zone or zones) and/or weather information (e.g., from athird party source such as Accuweather™ for the current zone or zones)and determine whether it rained. Accordingly, if it is determined thatit has rained (rain received), the process may continue to act 2211.However, if it is determined that it has not rained (rain not received),the process may continue to act 2217.

During act 2211, the process may determine whether the rainfall receivedis greater than or equal to a threshold rainfall value (e.g., 0.25inches for the current zone). Accordingly, the process may obtainrainfall information indicative of rainfall received from one or morerainfall sensors of the system and/or from the third party sources(e.g., Accuweather™, the NOAA, etc.) as may be selected by the processand/or user. Then, the process may compare the rainfall information withthe threshold rainfall value and if it is determined that the rainfallinformation is greater than or equal to the threshold rainfall value,the process may continue to act 2213. However, if it is determined thatthe rainfall information is less than the threshold rainfall value, theprocess may continue to act 2217.

During act 2213, the process may prevent fluid functions (e.g. to cancela current fluid supply (e.g., watering) cycle). Thus, for example, theprocess may prevent activation of one or more valves, pumps, pressureregulators, solenoids, etc., which may be operative to supply fluid(e.g., water) to the current zone (e.g., including one or more plantingportions). Thus, a current fluid supply operation may be considered tobe prevented which may conserve water. After completing act 2213, theprocess may continue to act 2215 where it ends. In some embodiments, theprocess may generate an enable signal (EN) equal to a zero to preventfluid supply functions from being activated.

During act 2217, the process may perform a fluid function activation andmay activate on or more fluid supply functions to supply fluid to thecurrent zone. Accordingly, for example, the process may activate one ormore valves, pumps, pressure regulators, solenoids, etc., which may beconfigured to supply fluid to the current zone. In some embodiments, theprocess may generate an enable signal (EN) equal to a 1 to allow fluidsupply functions to be activated. Thus, for example, a fluid supplyvalve (or relay) in accordance with embodiments of the present systemmay include an enable (EN) input. If EN is enabled, the fluid supplyvalve (or relay) may be enabled to be operative to supply fluid(s) toone or more zones of the system. However, if EN is not enabled, thefluid supply valve (or relay) may be disabled and not be operative tosupply fluid(s) to one or more zones of the system. After completing act2217, the process may continue to act 2215 where it ends.

In some embodiments, one or more acts of process 2200 may be repeatedfor each zone of a plurality of zones. Further, in some embodiments, oneor more acts of process 2200 may be repeated for each watering time(e.g. daily at 6:00 am and at 7:00 pm).

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process 2300 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present system. The process 2300 may beperformed using one or more computers communicating over a network. Theprocess 2300 can include one of more of the following acts and/or may beinitiated at the start of a fluid supply operation such as a watering ornutrient supply operation. Further, one or more of these acts may becombined and/or separated into sub-acts, if desired. In operation, theprocess may start during act 2301 and then proceed to act 2303. In someembodiments, the process 2300 may be performed periodically and/ornon-periodically. Further, in some embodiments the process 2300 may beperformed when a fluid supply operation (e.g., a watering process is oris about to be initiated). In some embodiments, the process 2300 mayinterface with and/or control conventional plant watering systems so asto further conserve water. The process may be performed for a pluralityof locations. However, for the sake of clarity only a single location(e.g., a single area) including one or more fluid supply zones isdiscussed.

During act 2303, the process may obtain sensor information from one ormore sensors of the system. The sensors may include soil moisturesensors such as one or more electrical resistance type soil moisturesensors (e.g., a Watermark™ Granular Matrix Sensors by Irrometer, Co.Riverside Calif.) which may provide information related to soil moistureand/or matric potentials in a corresponding location such as a currentlocation. The process may then process the sensor information anddetermine and/or obtain corresponding information such as soil moisturelevels, current soil matric potentials, temperature, humidity, dewpoints, etc., for the current location. Further, the process may averagesensor information provided by a plurality of similar sensors (e.g.,soil matric potential sensors located at different depths in the currentlocation. After completing act 2303, the process may continue to act2305.

During act 2305, the process may obtain weather informationcorresponding with the current location. The weather information mayinclude information related to current and/or future (e.g., expected orpredicted) weather information for the current location. The weatherinformation may be obtained from a third-party source (e.g.,Accuweather™, the NOAA, etc.) and may include current and predictedweather. However, in some embodiments, the process may obtain sensorinformation (e.g., barometric sensors, etc.) and predict weatheraccordingly. After completing act 2305, the process may continue to act2307.

During act 2307, the process may schedule one or more fluid supplyoperations (e.g., including irrigation cycles, additive delivery, etc.)in accordance with the sensor information and/or the predicted weatherinformation. For example, assuming a crop or landscape is watered twicea day (e.g., at 6:00 (morning watering cycle) am and at 7:00 pm(afternoon watering cycle)), if the soil matric potential determinedduring act 2303 is within a threshold range for the crop or landscape(e.g., between 10 and 60 kPA) and if rain is predicted (e.g., expected)between 10:00 and 4:00 pm of the current day, the process may delay orcancel one or more watering cycles (e.g., the morning and afternoonwatering cycles) for the day. However, if the soil matric potentialexceeds the threshold range (e.g., is determined to be greater than 60kPA in the current example), the process may schedule a fluid deliverycycle (e.g., to water the plants of the crop or landscape) to deliverfluids as soon as possible. The system may also take into account thelikelihood of rainfall (e.g., 60% chance of rain, etc.) and/or time ofpredicted rainfall and schedule a fluid delivery cycle accordingly. Thefluid deliver cycle may further include a nutrient delivery cycle.Accordingly, the process may take into account current temperature(e.g., 80 degrees F., at the current time 6:00 am) and/or expectedtemperature (e.g., 100 degrees between 12:00 and 8:00 pm) and schedule acorresponding fluid deliver cycle. For example, if the currenttemperature is less than a nutrient delivery threshold value (e.g., 92degrees) and the expected temperature is expected to be greater than thenutrient delivery threshold value, the process may schedule a nutrientdelivery cycle as soon as possible (e.g., 6:10 am) with minimumnutrients delivered. This may prevent or reduce nutrient burns to theplants which may occur when the actual temperature exceeds the nutrientdelivery threshold value. Further, the process may look ahead for one ormore days and schedule fluid deliver cycles accordingly. For example, ifrain is expected in the afternoon (e.g., between 2:00 and 5:00 pm)during the next 96 hours, the process may reschedule the morning fluiddeliver cycle during each of the next 96 hours to deliver acorresponding amount of water (e.g., less water when rain is expectedduring the day). The process may refer to a table lookup and/or to oneor more equations to determine fluid delivery schedules. The fluiddeliver schedule may set forth times, duration, flow rates, for one ormore fluid types (e.g., water, additives (e.g., nutrients, pesticides,fungicide, bactericides, herbicides, etc.), etc.). For example,irrigation water may be provided daily at 6:00 am for 5 minutes,nutrients (e.g., fertilizer) may be provided with the water at two weekintervals, etc. Fluid deliver schedules may vary in accordance with userpreferences, plant variety, location, weather, soil type, soil matricinformation, etc. After completing act 2307, the process may continue toact 2309.

During act 2309, the process may provide one or more fluids inaccordance with the fluid schedule. Accordingly, the process mayactivate one or more pumps, relays, solenoids, valves, pressureregulators, flow regulators, etc., to deliver and/or to provide for thepassage of the one or more fluids to one or more fluid delivery conduits(e.g., flow manifolds, laterals, parallels, etc.) of the system toprovide (the desired) fluids to the current location. Embodiments of thepresent system may further interface with conventional fluid deliverysystem such as overhead watering systems, dripless systems, etc. Aftercompleting act 2309, the process may continue to act 2311.

During act 2311, the process may update history information includinginformation related to the one or more fluid deliver schedules (e.g.,past, current, future, etc.), weather information, sensor information,and/or information formed by the current process. The process mayconsult the history information to determine form a fluid deliverschedule. For example, the history information may include informationsuch as information related to a total fluid flow (e.g., 10 cubicmeters) for fluid deliver cycle (e.g., a watering cycle). Then, theprocess may obtain soil matric information both before (e.g., 1 hourbefore fluid deliver matric potential=20 kPA) and after (e.g., 1 hourafter fluid deliver matric potential=66 kPA) the corresponding fluiddelivery cycle. Then, by determining a difference in the matricinformation (66-20 kPA=46 kPA), and dividing the this number by thetotal fluid flow (e.g., 10 cubic meters), the process may determine arelationship between an increase in soil matric potential per cubicmeter water (46 kPA/10 cubic meters=4.6 kPA/cubic meter fluid) for thecurrent location. Then, if it is desired to increase the matricpotential of the soil by about 20 kPA, the process may use thisrelationship to determine an amount of water (e.g., in cubic meters) todeliver to the soil in a future watering process (e.g., 20 kPA*1 cubicmeter/4.6 kPA/cubic meter)=(4.34 cubic meters water). Further, thehistory information may be displayed on a user interface (UI) of thesystem such as a display for the convenience of the user. Aftercompleting act 2311, the process may continue to act 2313 where it ends.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process 2400 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present system; and FIG. 29 is a graph 2900illustrating soil matric information 2901 as a function of time inaccordance with embodiments of the present system.

Referring to FIG. 24, the process 2400 may be performed using one ormore computers communicating over a network. The process 2400 caninclude one of more of the following acts and/or may be initiated at thestart of a fluid supply operation such as a watering or nutrient supplyoperation. Further, one or more of these acts may be combined and/orseparated into sub-acts, if desired. In some embodiments, the process2400 may be performed periodically and/or non-periodically. Further, insome embodiments the process 2400 may be performed when a fluid supplyoperation (e.g., a watering process is or is about to be initiated). Insome embodiments, the process 2400 may interface with and/or controlconventional plant watering systems so as to further conserve water. Theprocess may be performed for a plurality of locations each location.However, for the sake of clarity only a single location (e.g., a singlearea) including one or more fluid supply zones is discussed. The acts ofprocess 2400 may be repeated and/or performed for each location.Further, the process 2400 (and/or other processes of embodiments of thepresent system) may be repeated periodically (e.g., every hour, atcertain times each day, etc.) and/or non-periodically (e.g., upondetecting the occurrence of certain conditions occur, etc.). Inoperation, the process may start during act 2401 and then proceed to act2403.

During act 2403, the process may obtain sensor information for thecorresponding location. This act may be similar to act 2303 and theprocess may obtain information related to a current (e.g., actual) soilmatric potential from one or more sensors in the current location. Asthis act may be similar to act 2303, a further description thereof willnot be provided. After completing act 2403, the process may continue toact 2405.

During act 2405, the process may process the sensor information anddetermine a corresponding current soil matric potential (e.g., see, CSMas illustrated by “o” in graph 2900) for the present location. In someembodiments, the process may determine an average current soil matricpotential based upon sensor information from one or more sensors of thesystem. However, as act 2405 is generally similar to act 2303, a furtherdescription thereof will not be provided. After completing act 2405, theprocess may continue to act 2407.

During act 2407, the process may obtain future (e.g., expected orpredicted) weather information (e.g. a current and/or future weatherprediction) (FWI) (e.g., see, 2903, FIG. 29) for the correspondinglocation. The FWI may be obtained for a desired time period (Td) (e.g.,the next 240 hours) using any suitable methods. The FWI may be obtainedfrom using any suitable method such as from a third party source (e.g.,Accuweather™ the NOAA, etc.) and/or may be determined in accordance withinformation obtained from sensors of the system (e.g., barometricsensors, radar sensors, satellite sensors, etc.). The time period (Td)may be set by the system and/or user and/or may be determined based uponaccuracy of weather predictions. For example, if it is known that theweather prediction is expected to be 90% accurate for the first 24hours, 80% accurate up to 240 hours, and only 70% accurate for up to 288hours, the process may compare the expected accuracy with a predictionthreshold accuracy value (e.g., 75% in the present example), and selecta time period whose accuracy is greater than or equal to the predictionthreshold accuracy value (which may be set by the system and/or user).The Td may be set by the system and/or user. FWI may include informationrelated to future (expected or predicted) weather (e.g., rain tomorrowfrom 6:00 to 10:00 pm, etc.). Referring to FIG. 29, the FWI 2903 mayinclude temperature information 2905 and/or atmospheric precipitationinformation 2907. The atmospheric precipitation information may includea bar chart illustrating an amount of atmospheric precipitation obtainedin cm. For the sake of clarity, information such as humidity, barometricpressure, etc., is not shown. After completing act 2407, the process maycontinue to act 2409.

During act 2409, the process may determine (future expected) soil matricpotential (SMP) 2901 information for the corresponding time period(e.g., Td) in accordance with the CSM and/or the FWI using any suitablemethod or methods. For example, the process may use mathematicalmodeling (e.g., modeling, fitting, digital signal processing, etc.)and/or any other suitable method(s) to determine the SMP information(e.g., see, 2901) based upon one or more of the CSM, the FWI, plantcoverage, plant variety (e.g., Tomatoes, etc.), historical information(e.g., previous weather information and/or corresponding soil matricinformation), soil matric potential determining equations, soilcharacteristics (e.g., sand, loam, clay, etc.), and/or fluid provided tothe system (e.g., ground water, streams, non-adjustable irrigation, dew,etc.). The SMP information 2901 may include raw soil matric potential(RSM) information which may reflect expected soil matric potentialabsent irrigation provided by the system (e.g., during an irrigationcycle such as first and second irrigation cycles (IR-1 and IR-2,respectively)). Further, the SMP may include irrigation applied soilmatric potential (IRSM) information which may reflect the expected soilmatric potential in accordance with irrigation (e.g., fluid) applied bythe system. For example, the RSM and IRSM information may be similar toeach other up to a first irrigation point (IR-1) and may differafterwards. The history information may include information related tohistoric atmospheric information (e.g., past weather) and/orcorresponding (actual) soil matric information. In some embodiments, theprocess may perform a fitting application may match current weatherconditions to past weather conditions for a certain interval of time anddetermine an RSM based upon historic soil matric potential informationfor a similar time period and/or the CSM. Further, the process mayinclude a learning application which may form and/or update modeling orfitting equations used by the modeling and/or fitting application forlater use. After completing act 2409, the process may continue to act2411.

During act 2411, the process may determine an irrigation schedule. Theirrigation schedule may be determined using any suitable method and may,for example, be based upon the RSM determined during act 2409 and/orfluid supply rules (FSR) and/or portions thereof. The FSR which may setforth rules for providing irrigation such as irrigation limits and/orranges (e.g., irrigate when soil matric potential is determined to bebetween −50 and −60 kPa, however, if rain is expected within 2 hourssoil matric potential may exceed −60 kPA for not longer than 2 hours,etc.), irrigation times (6:00-8:00 am and 4:00-6:00 pm), etc. The FSRmay further be based upon product yield rules. The FSR may be set inaccordance with a determined variety of plant. Thus, the FSR may beformed to increase product yield. The irrigation schedule may set forthirrigation times (e.g., see, IR-1 and IR-2) as marked by “X's” andcorresponding irrigation amounts (e.g., fluid supplied by the systemillustrated as a bar graph 2909). Referring to graph 2900 it is seenthat the process may adjust the irrigation amounts to conserve resourcessuch as water and abide by the irrigation rules. Thus, at IR-2 theprocess may supply less fluid (e.g., water) than at the secondirrigation time (IR-2). The irrigation rules may be weighted so thatcertain rules may have more weight than others.

The FSR may be used to determine an irrigation schedule in accordancewith the SMP information determined during act 2409. For example, ifsufficient rainfall (e.g., more than ½ inch) is predicted to occurwithin three hours of the predicted soil matric potential increasingbelow −60 kPa, the system may await the rainfall and schedule a nextirrigation cycle to a later time. However, if rainfall (sufficient) isnot predicted to occur within three hours of the predicted soilpotential from increasing below −60 kPA, the system may schedule a nextirrigation cycle to occur as soon as possible. Thus, the system may lookahead and determine an irrigation schedule in accordance with the FSRbased upon current soil and/or weather conditions (e.g., soil,temperature, etc.) and/or previous soil conditions (e.g., obtained fromhistory information). Further, the past conditions may be consulted todetermine an amount of fluid to supply during an irrigation cycle. Forexample, sandy soil and clay soil may have different water capacitiesand/or therefore may require a corresponding amount of fluids to beapplied during an irrigation cycle. Thus, the process may delay anirrigation cycle pending expected rainfall. This may conserve resourcessuch as water and may benefit the environment by reducing an amount ofnutrients, pesticides, herbicides, fungicide, and/or bactericideapplied. The FSR may vary based on upon soil type, crop type, planttype, weather conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, sunlight, etc.),historical growing conditions, etc., and may be set by the system (e.g.,using heuristic data, etc.) and/or user. After completing act 2411, theprocess may continue to act 2413.

During act 2413, the process may provide fluids in accordance with theirrigation schedule determined during act 2411. Accordingly, the processmay activate one or more pumps, relays, solenoids, valves, pressureregulators, flow regulators, etc., to deliver and/or to provide for thepassage of the one or more fluids to one or more fluid delivery conduits(e.g., flow manifolds, laterals, parallels, etc.) of the system toprovide (the desired) fluids to the current location. Embodiments of thepresent system may further interface with conventional fluid deliverysystem such as overhead watering systems, dripless systems, etc. Aftercompleting act 2413, the process may continue to act 2415.

During act 2415, the process may update history information includinginformation related to the one or more irrigation cycles, schedules(e.g., past, current, future, etc.), weather information (actual and/orpredicted), sensor information, and/or information formed by the currentprocess. After completing act 2415, the process may continue to act 2417where it ends.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 2500in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 2500may include one or more substrates 2502-1, 2502-2. The each substrate2502-x may be similar to the substrate 300 of FIG. 3 and includes one ormore of grow portions 2504 and a fluid distribution system 2505.However, the substrates 2502-x may include one or more suitable couplersfor supporting (e.g., hanging) the corresponding substrates 2502-x in adesired position such as vertical, substantially vertical, horizontal,substantially horizontal and/or combinations thereof (e.g., at a 20degree angle to vertical or horizontal, etc.). This may be desired forpriming, germination, and/or growth of seeds/plants (e.g., of a plant2501 shown for illustration) within corresponding grow portions 2504.When placed in a position other than vertical, a frame may be providedto tension the substrate (e.g., to keep the substrate taught). Afterdesired growth is attained, the substrates 2502-x may be relocated to adesired position and/or location for further growth of the seeds/plants.Accordingly, seedlings of the substrates 2502-x may be grown in a spaceconserving and/or controlled environment for the initialgrowth/germination of seeds/plants and thereafter the substrates 2502-xmay be located in a desired location (e.g., a crop, a landscape, etc.)for further growth of the seeds and/or plants. However, in yet otherembodiments, the substrates may be grown in a vertical position for theduration of germination/growth of the seeds/plants.

With regard to the couplers, they may include any suitable support suchas rods, hooks, hook-and-loop fasteners, screws, chains, cables, rope,nylon ties, staples, frames, etc. For example, the couplers may includesupport rods 2580-1 which may be coupled to corresponding substrates2502-1 using any suitable coupling method such as friction fits, welds,stitching, adhesives, screws, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc. The supportrods 2580-1 may include one or more openings which fluidly couple afluid supply provided under the control of a controller of the system toone or more flow manifolds 2506 of corresponding substrates 2502-x. Insome embodiments, the support may include hooks 2588 which may couple toopenings 2583 of a corresponding substrate such as substrate 2502-2.Grommets 2585 may be coupled to the substrate 2502-2 to evenlydistribute forces to the substrate 2502-2. One or more fluid couplingssuch as hose 2590 may fluidly couple the one or more openings of thesupport rods 2580-x to the flow manifolds 2506, if desired. Each supportrod 2580-2 may be supported by one or more supports such as support2584. The support 2584 may include one or more openings to fluidlycouple the support rods 2580-x to the fluid supply provided by thecontroller of the system. In some embodiments, the support rods 2580-xmay include a quick-connect-type coupling which may mechanically,fluidly, and/or electronically couple, a corresponding substrate 2502-xto the support 2584. Accordingly, the support 2584 may be mechanically,fluidly, and/or electronically coupled to a controller of the system.However, in yet other embodiments, each substrate may include acontroller or a portion thereof.

Referring back to the substrates 2502-x, each substrate may include oneor more sensors 2526 which may provide sensor information (e.g., via asensor bus 2522) to a controller of the system for further processing.The sensors 2522 may be similar to the sensors 1322 and may provide, forexample, information related to, for example, moisture, temperature,etc. of a corresponding grow portion 1304.

The substrates 2502-x may be situated in the vertical position forinitial germination of seeds and/or growth of plants in the growportions 2504. Thereafter, the substrates 2502-x may be placed in adifferent orientation and/or location. For example, the substrates2502-x may be placed over a surface to form at least a portion of alandscape, a crop, etc. Thus, in some embodiments, the grow portions2504 may have major surfaces from which plants and/or roots may exit.However, in yet other embodiments, at least a portion of a major surfaceof the grow portions 2504 may prevent roots and/or stems from passing.The substrates 2502-x may include a protective layer to preventgerminated seeds and/or young plants during handling and/ortransportation of the substrates 2502-x. The support rods 2580-2 may beremoved from the corresponding substrate 2502-x when the substrate isrelocated (e.g., to a crop, a landscape, a field, a garden, etc.).

The fluid distribution system 2505 of each substrate 2502-x may includeone or more flow manifolds 2506, flow valves (e.g. coupled toemitters/drippers) in fluid communication with each other and which mayprovide fluid from the corresponding follow manifold to thecorresponding grow portions.

In some embodiments, a frame (e.g., a rigid frame, etc.) may be coupled(e.g., using any suitable method such as hooks, fasteners, etc.) to thesubstrate and may tension the substrate to hold the substrate in adesired position relative to the frame. A rack system may be provided toreceive the frame. For example, a horizontal rack system may receive aplurality of frames each frame including at least one substrate. Thesubstrate may be coupled to the frame using any suitable fasteningmethod such as hooks, loops, hook-and-loop type fasteners (e.g.,Velcro™), straps, screws, staples, adhesives. The frame may be formedfrom a suitable material such as metals, wood, plastics, and/orcombinations thereof. However, other types of materials are alsoenvisioned. The frame may include one or more fluid conduits which maycouple to a fluid conduit of the substrate and/or the controller of thesystem. The frame may extend about the outer periphery of the substrateand may be coupled to the substrate at a plurality of locations (e.g. atsides, edges, and corners of the substrate, etc) using any suitablefastening methods. For example, with respect to the substrate 2502-2,the frame may extend about this substrate and fasten to openings 2583 ofthe substrate using a hook-and-loop type fastener. During a growingcycle, the substrate may be placed in a horizontal position for aninitial growing period (e.g., germination of seeds and initial growth ofplants of corresponding grow portions 2504).

FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 2600in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 2600may include one or more substrates 2602 coupled to a support frame 2670such as rigid frame made from a suitable material or materials (e.g., awooden, plastic, foam, metal, fabric, etc.) using any suitable couplingmethod (e.g., staples, hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, friction fitting,string, cord, stitches, etc.). The support frame 2670 may hold thecorresponding substrate 2602 taught during storage, transportation,and/or use. A support rack 2674 may include a plurality of shelves orsupport brackets 2672 which may receive the substrate 2602. The supportbracket 2672 may include a flange 2676, a “U,” “C,” “L” channels tosecurely and removable receive the combination of the substrate 2602 anda corresponding frame 2670. However, in yet other embodiments a slidingrail may be provided to receive the frame 2672. The substrates 2602 maybe coupled to a fluid channel controlled by a controller of the systemusing one or more couplers such as hoses 2690. In some uses, seedsand/or plants within a grow portion may be germinated and/or grown, thenone or more of the substrates 2602 may be removed from correspondingsupport bracket 2672. Thereafter, the combination of the frame 2670and/or substrate 2602 may be related to a desired location. Afterpositioning the substrate 2602 into the desired location, the frame 2670may be removed (e.g., by removing the fasteners and/or cutting thesubstrate 2602). Accordingly, gardeners may easily transport and/orposition a substrate which may form a part of a landscape, etc. It isfarther envisioned that the frame 2670 may be received in acorresponding rack (e.g., of a truck, etc.) for transportation. Theframe 2670 may have a continuous outer periphery. However, in yet otherembodiments, the frame may be discontinuous. For example, the frame mayinclude first and second rods which may separate from each other andcoupled to opposite sides of the substrate. Then, each of first andsecond users (or a holding mechanism) may hold the ends of the rodsapart from each other so as to tension the substrate with a desiredsubstrate.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a process 2700 of layingsubstrate in accordance with an embodiment of the present system. Theprocess 2700 may be performed using one or more computers communicatingover a network which may control one or more functions of a vehicle forlaying a substrate 2702 in accordance with embodiments of the presentsystem. The vehicle 2713 may include a tractor pert 2701 and/or atrailer 2711 and may include one or more of substrate 2702 which may bewound about a spool 1205, and a top cover 2707 (e.g., a desired coversuch as sand, earth, mulch, peat moss, etc.) stored in a bin 2709. Oneor more functions of the vehicle 2713 (e.g., steering, hydraulics,braking, power-take-off, spool release, spool tension, fill release,etc.) may be controlled by a controller of the system. The process 2700can include one of more of the following acts. Further, one or more ofthese acts may be combined and/or separated into sub-acts, if desired.In accordance with the acts of the process, as the vehicle moves in adirection indicated by arrow 2703, the substrate 2702 may be pulled offof the spool 2705 and may be placed on a base layer 2715. A plate orroller such as roller 2717 may apply a force to flatten the substrate2702 into the base layer 2715. The top cover 2707 may be released fromthe bin 2709 (e.g., by a gate (e.g., under the control of thecontroller) upon the substrate 2702. An other plate or roller 2719 mayapply a force upon the top cover 2707 and/or substrate 2702 to compactthe top cover 2707 upon the substrate 2702. The plates may include oneor more forks or tangs, if desired. The substrate 2702 may include afluid distribution system which may be coupled to a fluid sourcecontrolled by a controller of the system as may be described elsewhere.The substrate 2702 may be similar to substrates such as the substrate1800. In yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that the substrates maybe folded rather than rolled.

FIG. 28 shows a portion of a system 2800 (e.g., peer, server, etc.) inaccordance with an embodiment of the present system. For example, aportion of the present system may include a processor 2810 operationallycoupled to a memory 2820, a display (and/or speaker) 2830, a user inputdevice 2870, and one or more actuators 2850. The memory 2820 may be anytype of device for storing application data as well as other datarelated to the described operation. The application data and other dataare received by the processor 2810 for configuring (e.g., programming)the processor 2810 to perform operation acts in accordance with thepresent system. The processor 2810 so configured becomes a specialpurpose machine particularly suited for performing in accordance withthe present system. The sensors 2860 may include location sensors suchas global position system (GPS) sensors, triangulation sensors, etc.

The operation acts may include requesting, providing, and/or renderingof information. The user input 2870 may include a keyboard, mouse,trackball, haptic device, a microphone, and/or other device, includingtouch sensitive displays, which may be stand alone or be a part of asystem, such as part of a server, a client, a personal computer, alaptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), a tablet (e.g., an IPAD™, etc.), and/or other device forcommunicating with the processor 2810 via any operable link. The userinput device 2870 may be operable for interacting with the processor2810 including enabling interaction within a UI as described herein.Clearly the processor 2810, the memory 2820, the display 2830, thesensors, the sensors 2860, the actuators 2850, and/or user input device2870 may all or partly be a portion of a computer system or otherdevice.

The methods of the present system are particularly suited to be carriedout by a computer software program, such program containing modulescorresponding to one or more of the individual steps or acts describedand/or envisioned by the present system. Such program may of course beembodied in a computer-readable medium, such as an integrated chip, aperipheral device or memory, such as the memory 2820 or other memorycoupled to the processor 2810.

The program and/or program portions contained in the memory 2820configure the processor 2810 to implement the methods, operational acts,and functions disclosed herein. The memories may be distributed, forexample between the clients and/or servers, or local, and the processor2810, where additional processors may be provided, may also bedistributed or may be singular. The memories may be implemented aselectrical, magnetic or optical memory, or any combination of these orother types of storage devices. Moreover, the term “memory” should beconstrued broadly enough to encompass any information able to be readfrom or written to an address in an addressable space accessible by theprocessor 2810. With this definition, information accessible through anetwork is still within the memory, for instance, because the processor2810 may retrieve the information from the network for operation inaccordance with the present system.

The processor 2810 is operable for providing control signals and/orperforming operations in response to input signals from the sensors2860, the user input device 2870 as well as in response to other devicesof a network and executing instructions stored in the memory 2820. Theprocessor 2810 may be an application-specific or general-use integratedcircuit(s). Further, the processor 2810 may be a dedicated processor forperforming in accordance with the present system or may be ageneral-purpose processor wherein only one of many functions operatesfor performing in accordance with the present system. The processor 2810may operate utilizing a program portion, multiple program segments, ormay be a hardware device utilizing a dedicated or multi-purposeintegrated circuit. Further variations of the present system wouldreadily occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art and areencompassed by the following claims. The processors 2810 may control theactuators 2850 in accordance operations and/or operative acts ofembodiments of the present system. The actuators 2850 may includecontrollable portions of embodiments of the present system such aspumps, pressure or flow regulators, solenoids, valves, mixers, sensors,etc. For example, the actuators 2850 may include a controllable valvewhich may provide mains water under the control of the processor 2810.\

FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 3000in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 3000may include an overhead-type watering system 3090 which may include anat least one overhead portion 3096 having at least one cavity 3092, aplurality of fluid distributors 3070-1 through 3070-N (generally3070-x), a plurality of valves 3072-1 through 3072-N (generally 3072-x),and a plurality of proximity sensors 3060-1 through 3060-M. Each of thefluid distributors 3070-x may be fluidly coupled to the at least onecavity 3092 via corresponding valves 3072-x. Further, the fluiddistributors 3070-x may be of a drop-type which may extend away from theoverhead portion 3096. Further, this extension may be adjustable by auser and/or the system (e.g., in accordance with proximity information).The valves 3072-x may be controlled by a controller of the system 3000so as to selectively control flow of fluid from the at least one cavity3092 to a corresponding fluid distributor 3070-x. The system 3000 may beconfigured to operate in accordance with linear and/or fixed pointirrigation systems.

A carriage 3095 may include one or more trucks 3097 each including oneor more wheels 3093 and may at least partially support the at least oneoverhead portion 3096. The carriage 3095 may include one or more motiveforce portions such as motors to provide a motive force to move the atleast one carriage 3095. In some embodiments, the carriage 3095 may movein a linear or substantially linear direction as indicated by arrow3099. The system 3000 may be located in a portion of a field 3093 havinga plurality of plant portions 3065 arranged in a desired configurationsuch as a row type configuration having rows 3085-1 through 3085-M eachinclude a plurality of plant portions 3065. Each plant portion 3065 mayinclude one or more plants 3067. The controller may control the one ormore motive force portions such that a location of one or more portionsof the system may be controlled. Further, the one or more trucks 3097may include one or more jack portions (e.g., telescoping portions, etc.)which may be controlled by the controller to control a height and/ororientation of one or more portions of the system such as the overheadportion 3096. A height adjusting mechanism may further be provided tocontrol the height of one or more of the fluid distributors 3070-xand/or valves 3072-x. The heights may be adjusted in accordance with adetected height (e.g., in accordance with height information) of one ormore of the corresponding the plants 3067. However, in some embodiments,the one or more wheels may be located coaxially with the overheadportion 3096.

Each of the proximity sensors 3060-x may detect the presence of acorresponding plant 3067 in proximity zone (e.g., 3061-x) to thecorresponding proximity sensor 3060-x and may form correspondingproximity information. The controller may then process the proximityinformation to determine whether a plant 3065 is located in proximity tothe corresponding proximity sensor 3060-x. If it is determined that aplant 3065 is located in (detected in) proximity (e.g., less than orequal to a threshold distance) to the corresponding proximity sensor3060-x, the controller may control a valve 3072-x open (or remainopened) so as to supply fluid (e.g., from the at least one cavity 3092)to a corresponding fluid distributor 3070-x. However, if it isdetermined that a plant 3065 is not located in proximity (e.g., greaterthan the threshold distance) to the corresponding proximity sensor3060-x, the controller may control the valve 3072-x to close or remainclosed so that fluid (e.g., from the at least one cavity 3092) is notsupplied to a corresponding fluid distributor 3070-x. Thus, thecontroller may control fluid flow from the fluid distributors 3070-xsuch that fluid is substantially delivered in an area which includes aplant 3065.

The proximity sensors 3060-x may include optical, infra-red (IR), orother types of proximity sensors which may provide correspondingproximity sensor information to a controller of the system for furtherprocessing. For example, in some embodiments the proximity sensors3060-x may include image capturing devices such as cameras (e.g. stilland/or video) which may provide proximity sensor information includingimage information. The image information may then be processed using,for example, image processing methods and/or applications to determinewhether a plant 3067 (or planting portion 3065) is located within acertain area such as within a proximity zone 3061-x of a correspondingproximity sensor 3060-x. The image information may further be processedto determine height information corresponding to a determined height ofthe plants.

In yet other embodiments, the proximity sensors 3060-x may includeoptical beam type devices which may detect whether the IR beam is broken(e.g., similarly to garage-door-obstruction type sensors) and provideproximity sensor information including an indication of such.Accordingly, if it is determined that the IR beam is broken, the systemmay determine that a plant 3067 is within a proximity zone 3061-x ofcorresponding sensor 3060-x. However, if it is determined that the IRbeam is not broken the system may determine that a plant 3067 is notwithin the proximity zone 3061-x of the corresponding sensor 3060-x.

In yet further embodiments, the proximity sensors 3060-x may includeproximity-type sensors such as Microsoft™ Kinect™ sensors or the likewhich may provide proximity sensor information including proximityinformation (e.g. location to an object) and/or image information. Theproximity sensor information may include distance information.Accordingly, when it is determined that a plant is within a thresholddistance (e.g., when a detected distance of the detected plant isdetermined to be less than or equal to the threshold distance) of acorresponding proximity sensor 3060-x, the system may determine that aplant is within a proximity zone 3061-x of corresponding sensor 3060-x.However, if it is determined that a plant is not within a thresholddistance (e.g., when the detected distance of the detected plant isdetermined to be greater than the threshold distance) of a correspondingproximity sensor 3060-x, the system may determine that a plant is notwithin a proximity zone 3061-x of corresponding sensor 3060-x. Theproximity information may further include height information.

The system may further process image information obtained from camerasof the system (e.g., still, video, etc.) and determine whether adetected object is a registered plant. For example, by using an imageprocessing method, a detected plant may be compared with a registeredplant. If the detected plant is determined to be a registered plant(e.g. tomatoes), the system may provide control the corresponding valve3072-x to open and provide fluid. However, if the detected plant isdetermined not to be a registered plant, the system may control acorresponding valve 3072-x to close so as not to supply fluid to theplant. This operation may control growth of undesired varieties of plantsuch as invasive species, weeds, plants from previous growth periods,etc.

One or more location sensors may provide information indicative of alocation of at least a portion of the overhead-type watering system3090. In some embodiments the one or more sensors may include GPSsensors, triangulation sensors, optical sensors, orientation sensors,etc. which may provide corresponding sensor information to thecontroller. For example, in some embodiments, the one or more sensorsmay include rotation sensors which may sense an angular rotation (W) ofthe one or more wheels 3093 and provide corresponding rotationinformation to the controller. The controller may then determinelocation and/or velocity information indicative of a location and/orvelocity, respectively, of at least one or more portions of theoverhead-type watering system 3090 in accordance with the sensorinformation, if desired. The controller may then control a duration ofan on cycle and/or an off cycle of a corresponding valve 3072-x inaccordance with the determined velocity and/or location information. Thecontroller may be coupled to the sensors and/or valves 3072-x usingwired and/or wireless communication methods. Further, the controller maycontrol one or more pumps, regulators, solenoids, valves, etc. of thesystem so that the fluid at one or more locations of the system such asat the fluid distributors 3070-x and/or the at least one cavity 3092 hasa desired velocity, flow rate, pressure, etc. as may be set forth in oneor more processes of the present system.

In some embodiments each proximity sensor 3060-x may control a plurality(e.g., a group) of fluid distributors 3070-x and/or corresponding valves3072-x. It is further envisioned that one or more of the proximitysensors 3060-x, the of fluid distributors 3070-x, and/or correspondingvalves 3072-x local and/or remote from each other and/or may be formedintegrally with one another.

It is further envisioned that the controller may control a fluiddistribution pattern (e.g., 3071-x) of a corresponding fluid distributor3070-x. The fluid distributors 3070-x may further include oscillationtype distributors, sprinklers, sprayers, etc. Further, the sensors mayinclude wind speed sensors which may provide corresponding informationto the controller. The controller may then activate valves 3072-x and/orfluid distributors 3070-x accordingly, so that a fluid flow is correctedfor wind and fluid is provided to a desired location.

FIG. 31 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process 3100 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present system. The process 3100 may beperformed using one or more computers communicating over a network. Theprocess 3100 can include one of more of the following acts and/or may beinitiated at the start of a fluid supply operation such as a watering ornutrient supply operation. Further, one or more of these acts may becombined and/or separated into sub-acts, if desired. In operation, theprocess may start during act 3101 and then proceed to act 3103. In someembodiments, the process 3100 may be performed periodically and/ornon-periodically. Further, in some embodiments the process 3100 may beperformed during a fluid supply operation (e.g., a watering process) isperformed using embodiments of the present system such as the system3000. In some embodiments, the process 3100 may interface with and/orcontrol conventional plant watering systems so as to further conservewater. For the sake of clarity, only a single valve and/or correspondingproximity sensor may be discussed unless the context indicatesotherwise. However, the process may be repeated for each valve and/orcorresponding proximity sensor.

During act 3103, the process may obtain sensor information such asproximity sensor information from one or more proximity sensors of thesystem (e.g., proximity sensors 3060-x). The process may then processthe sensor information to determine a location of one or more plants.After completing act 3103, the process may continue to act 3105.

During act 3105, the process may determine whether a plant is detected.Methods for detecting plants are discussed above. Accordingly, if aplant is detected, the process may continue to act 3107. However, if aplant is not detected, the process may repeat act 3103. It will beassumed that during the process 3100 an overhead type watering system isin motion (e.g., rotational or linear motion) so as to change positionand/or orientation relative to a given object such as a field having aplurality of plants. After completing act 3105, the process may continueto act 3107.

During act 3107, the process may control one or more one or more valvesto supply fluid (e.g., water, additives, etc.) to one or morecorresponding fluid distributors (e.g., 3070-x) so as to supply fluid tothe detected plant(s). Accordingly, the process may activate one or morevalves to supply the desired fluid. Further, the process may controlpressure, flow rate, and/or additive mix of the fluid being supplied, ifdesired.

Further, the process may set a fluid supply time (FST) to a default FST.The default FST time may be set by the user and/or system to a desiredduration (e.g., 2:00 minutes, etc.). However, in yet other embodiments,the process may set the default FST in accordance with one or more offor example, ambient conditions, soil conditions, etc. For example, theFST may be based, at least in part upon one or more of ambient humidity,ambient temperature, soil temperature, soil matrics, available fluid(water) pressure, soil pH, and/or speed of the overhead type wateringsystem 3090. For example, if the matric potential of a correspondinglocation is more negative (indicating dryer soil), the process mayincrease the default FST. Similarly, during dry and/or hot weather, theprocess may increase the default FST to accommodate for evaporation offluids. After completing act 3107, the process may continue to act 3109.

During act 3109, the process may determine whether the FST has elapsed.Accordingly, if it is determined that the FST has elapsed, the processmay continue to act 3111. However, if it is determined that the FST hasnot elapsed, the process may repeat act 3103.

During act 3111, the process may deactivate the one or more valves whichwere activated during act 3107 so as to stop or substantially stop theflow of fluid through the valves and/or to the fluid distributors. Aftercompleting act 3111, the process may continue to act 3113, where itends. The process 3100 may be constantly repeated to water, for example,a crop.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustration of a portion of a system 3200in accordance with embodiments of the present system.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of thesystem 3200 taken along lines 33-33 of FIG. 32 in accordance withembodiments of the present system.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of thesystem 3300 taken along lines 34-34 of FIG. 32 in accordance withembodiments of the present system.

With reference to FIGS. 32 through 35, the system 3200 may include atleast one flow manifold 3206 and least one grow portion 3204. However,for the sake of clarity only a single flow manifold 3206 and/or growportion 3204 may be discussed unless the context indicates otherwise.The flow manifold 3206 include an outer wall which may define a cavity3220 for receiving a fluid and one or more drippers and/or emitters 3211which may be located within the cavity and/or externally of the outerwall of the flow manifold 3206. A plurality of the flow manifolds 3206may be coupled to each other and/or to a manifold 3206-M so as toreceive a fluid flow under the control of a controller. The plurality offlow manifolds 3206 may be configured in any desired configuration suchas in a row configuration, etc. The configuration may be in accord witha desired landscape configuration such as a radial configuration, etc.Further, in yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that the flowmanifolds may be curved, linear, etc., and may extend in variousdirections. For example, it is envisioned that either or both ends ofthe flow manifolds 3206 may be coupled to each other and/or to an othermanifold which may be similar to manifold 3206M.

In yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that a configuration of flowmanifolds 3206 may extend radially away from, and/or be coupled to, amanifold substantially located in a center of the configuration. Acontroller may control flow of one or more fluids to one or more of themanifolds 3206. The flow manifolds 3206 may include any suitable type ofcoupling such as a threaded coupling, a quick connect type coupling,etc. The flow manifolds 3206 may include openings through which liquidcontained within may exit into a corresponding grow portion 3204.Accordingly, the location of the openings (e.g., a distance between theopenings) may be set to correspond with desired locations ofcorresponding grow portions 3204. In some embodiments, it is envisionedthat the grow portions 3204 may be inserted and/or replaced as acartridge unit 3204-C. Accordingly, the grow portions 3204 and/or flowmanifolds 3206 may be configured to provide for the removal and/orinsertion of the grow portions 3204. A user may then slide one or morecartridge units 3204-C over a desired flow manifold 3206 (e.g., such asa Netafim™ dripperline). Various landscapes may be formed usingcartridge units 3402-C with the same or different seed and/or plantvarieties.

Each grow portion 3204 may have a center opening 3233 through which atleast a portion of a corresponding flow manifold 3206 may pass. The growportion 3204 may include an inner cavity 3220 defined by one or morewalls such as an outer wall 3204-1, an inner wall 3204-2, and end walls3204-3, one or more of which may be formed integrally with, orseparately from, each other. Further, one or more of the walls 3204-1,3204-2, and/or 3204-3 (generally 3204-x), may be continuous ordiscontinuous in one or more locations. A filler 3215 may be similar tofillers discussed elsewhere in this application and may be locatedwithin a corresponding cavity and may include one or more seeds and/orplants. One or more of the walls 3204-x may include one or more weakenedareas through which at least a portion of a plant contained within maypass. A distance between grow portions 3206 may be set as desired and,in some embodiments, it is envisioned that adjacent grow portions 3206may touch each other. Further, one or more grow portions 3206 mayinclude the same or different varieties of plants or seeds, if desired.The grow portions 3204 may be coupled to a corresponding flow manifolds3206 using any suitable method (e.g., friction, bonding, adhesives,threaded, latches, pins, rivets, a snap lock, zip ties, etc.). The walls3204-x may have any desired shape, angular relationship, may beflexible, may be semi-rigid, and/or may be rigid, as desired. In someembodiments, the filler 3220 may be flexible, rigid, and/or semi-rigid.Thus, when rigid or semi-rigid, the filler 3220 may support one or moreof the walls 3204-x.

FIG. 33B is a cross-sectional view illustration of a portion of a system3200B in accordance with embodiments of the present system. FIG. 34B isa cross-sectional view illustration of the system 3200B in accordancewith embodiments of the present system. FIGS. 33B and 34B areessentially taken along similar respective cross-sections as thecross-sectional views of FIGS. 33 and 34. The system 3200B is similar tothe system 3200 and may include one or more flow manifolds 3206 and growportions 3204B. However, the grow portions 3204B may have an innercavity 3220B having an inner diameter or wall defined, at least in part,by the flow manifold 3206. Thus, the inner cavity 3220B may be definedat least in part, by one or more of walls 3404B-1, end walls 3304B-3(generally 3304B-x), at least a portion of the flow manifold 3206. Theend walls 3204B-3 may have openings 3233B which may be sealed to theflow manifold 3206 using any suitable method such a friction fits,adhesives 3297, threaded fasteners, zip ties, threads, etc. These sealsmay be configured to prevent the filler 3215B from leaking from theinner cavity 3220B. However, the filler 3215B may be formed from a rigidor semi-rigid material (e.g., similar to a pelletized filler) to preventleakage from the cavity 3220B and/or hold the walls 3304B-x in a desiredshape and/or position. For example, in some embodiments, an innerdiameter of the filler 3220B may have an inside diameter which issubstantially similar to the outside diameter of the flow manifold 3206Bso as to form a fiction fit. During use, the walls 3304B-x and/or thefiller 3220B may weaken and/or compost.

FIG. 35 is a partially cutaway side view illustration of a portion of asystem 3500 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Thesystem 3500 may be similar to the systems 3200 and/or 3200B and includesone or more grow portions 3504 situated about a corresponding flowmanifold 3506 of a plurality of flow manifolds 3506. However, the growportion 3500 may include at least one outer wall 3405-1 formed from atubular material (e.g., similar to a hosiery material) which defines atleast part of an inner cavity 3520 situated at between ends 3593. Asuitable sealing method such as zip ties 3597 may seal the inner cavity3520 to the flow manifold 3506. A filler 3515 may be located, at leastin part, within the inner cavity 3520.

FIG. 36 is a partially cutaway side view illustration of a portion of asystem 3600 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Thesystem 3600 may be similar to the system 100 of FIG. 1 and includes oneor more of a substrate 3602, one or more grow portions 3604, and a fluiddistribution system 3605. However, the system 3600 may be folded orrolled so as to form a cylinder, a cone, or other desired shape. Thesubstrate 3600 may be formed from a rigid or semi-rigid material so asto be self-supporting when formed into the desired shape such as thecylinder of FIG. 3600. Accordingly, for example, the substrate 3602 maybe formed from a material such as a corrugated plastic. The one or moregrow portions 3604 may include one or more supports such as supportportions 3605, if desired. Further, the one or more grow portions 3604may be shaped as desired. In the present embodiments the substrate 3602may be freestanding and, if desired, may be placed about a desiredobject such as a pole or other freestanding object (e.g., a utility pole3677, a banister, a garbage can, a barrel, a lamp post, a hydrant, anornament, etc.) and may include one or more access openings. The accessopenings may provide access to the freestanding object (e.g., ahydrant). The substrate 3602 may be secured to itself using any suitablemethod such as notches, pins, clips, screws, rivets, adhesives, tapes,glues, cords, hook-and-loop fasteners, zip ties (e.g., nylon zip ties),friction fits, etc. For example, in some embodiments, double-sidedadhesive tape may be situated between overlapping portions of thesubstrate 3606. In some embodiments, the substrate 3606 may be rolledinto a semi-circle such as a “C” The substrate 3606 may be transportedflat and may then be rolled on site. In yet other embodiments, thesubstrate 3606 may hang using any suitable hanger such as cable, rope,etc. Thus, for example, the substrate 3606 may hang from a utility pole,if desired.

The fluid distribution system 3605 may distribute water to one or moreof the grow portions 3604 and may include one or more of a distributionmanifold 3609, one or more flow manifolds, 3606, and an input 3611. Theinput 3611 may receive fluid from a source controlled by a controller ofthe system. The one or more flow manifolds 3606 may be formed, at leastin part, integrally with the substrate 3602 if desired. For example, theone or more flow manifolds 3606 may be formed, at least in part, withinconjugations channels of the substrate 3606, if desired. However, in yetother embodiment the flow manifolds may include any suitable conduit.The flow manifolds 3606 may be coupled to the input 3611 directly or viathe distribution manifold 3609, as desired. However, in yet otherembodiments, it is envisioned that the flow manifolds 3606 may befluidly coupled to the source directly. The grow portions 3606 mayinclude a wicking material to absorb fluids from the fluid distributionsystem 3605, if desired.

The grow portions 3606 may include a cavity in which a filler may belocated. An outer periphery of the grow portion may include one or moreopenings and/or weakened areas such as weakened area through whichportions of a plant 3601 situated within a corresponding grow portion3606 may extend.

Finally, the above-discussion is intended to be merely illustrative ofthe present system and should not be construed as limiting the appendedclaims to any particular embodiment or group of embodiments. Thus, whilethe present system has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it should also be appreciated that numerous modificationsand alternative embodiments may be devised by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the broader and intended spiritand scope of the present system as set forth in the claims that follow.In addition, the section headings included herein are intended tofacilitate a review but are not intended to limit the scope of thepresent system. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to beregarded in an illustrative manner and are not intended to limit thescope of the appended claims.

In interpreting the appended claims, it should be understood that: a)the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements oracts than those listed in a given claim; b) the word “a” or “an”preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality ofsuch elements; c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit theirscope; d) several “means” may be represented by the same item orhardware or software implemented structure or function; e) any of thedisclosed elements may be comprised of hardware portions (e.g.,including discrete and integrated electronic circuitry), softwareportions (e.g., computer programming), and any combination thereof; f)hardware portions may be comprised of one or both of analog and digitalportions; g) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may becombined together or separated into further portions unless specificallystated otherwise; h) no specific sequence of acts or steps is intendedto be required unless specifically indicated; and i) the term “pluralityof” an element includes two or more of the claimed element, and does notimply any particular range of number of elements; that is, a pluralityof elements may be as few as two elements, and may include animmeasurable number of elements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile fluid dispensing device, comprising: abody configured to be moved over an area of land; at least one sensorcoupled to the body and configured to senses the plants and form sensorinformation; at least one fluid distributor coupled to the body andconfigured to emit a fluid therefrom; and at least one processorconfigured to: obtain the sensor information, determine whether a plantis detected based upon an analysis of the sensor information, andcontrol a flow of fluid to the at least one fluid distributor based uponthe determination.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least onesensor comprises at least one of an image sensor, a height sensor, and aproximity sensor.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensorinformation further comprises at least one of image information,distance information, wind speed, and height information; and the atleast one processor is further configured to detect an object inaccordance with the sensor information.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to analyze thesensor information to detect an object.
 5. The device of claim 4,wherein the at least one processor is further configured determinewhether the detected object is a registered plant.
 6. The device ofclaim 5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to employ animage processing method to determine whether the detected object is aregistered plant.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein, the at least oneprocessor is further configured to control a fluid control portionprovide the fluid to the at least one fluid distributor when it isdetermined that the plant is detected.
 8. The device of claim 1, whereinthe at least one processor is further configured to determine locationand/or velocity information indicative of a location and/or velocity,respectively, of at least a portion of the mobile watering device.
 9. Amobile fluid dispensing device, comprising: a body configured to bemoved over an area of land; at least one fluid distributor coupled tothe body; a fluid control portion configured to control a flow of afluid to be emitted from the at least one fluid distributor; at leastone sensor coupled to the body and configured to form sensor informationcomprising at least image information; and at least one processorconfigured to: obtain the image information, determine whether adetected object is a registered plant, control the fluid control portionto emit fluid from the at least one fluid distributor when it isdetermined that the detected object is a registered plant.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the fluid control portion comprises at leastone of a pump, a regulator, a solenoid, and a valve configured tocontrol the flow of the fluid.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the atleast one processor is configured to determine at least one of location,velocity, and speed of at least a portion of the mobile watering device.12. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one fluid distributorcomprises a plurality of fluid distributors situated apart from eachother along the body, wherein the at least one processor is configuredto selectively control fluid flow to a corresponding fluid distributorof the plurality of fluid distributors.
 13. The device of claim 12,further comprising a height adjuster configured to control a height ofthe at least one fluid distributor.
 14. The device of claim 13, furthercomprising a body supported by at least one wheel, the body configuredto support the at least one fluid distributor.
 15. The device of claim14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured todetermine a speed of the at least one wheel.
 16. The device of claim 9,wherein the sensor comprises a camera.
 17. A mobile fluid dispensingdevice, comprising: a body supported by at least one wheel andconfigured to move over an area of land; at least one fluid dispensercoupled to the body and configured to emit a fluid; at least one sensorcoupled to the body and configured to generate proximity information;and at least one processor which is configured to: analyze the proximityinformation from the at least one sensor of the system to detect aplant, and control a flow of the fluid from the at least one fluiddistributor such that the fluid is delivered to area which includes thedetected plant.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to determine a height of the detectedplant in accordance with the proximity information.
 19. The device ofclaim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured toadjust a height of at least the fluid dispenser in accordance with thedetermined height of the detected plant.
 20. The device of claim 18,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determinewhether a detected plant is a registered plant and controls the flow ofthe fluid based upon the determination.